Page:Young Hunters of the Lake.djvu/87

Rh his wife to make him some gooseberry pie and she wouldn't do it. When he came back he asked her, 'Maria, will you make the gooseberry pie now?' and she answered, 'No.' 'All right,' said he, 'I'll go away again,' and he did."

"That's a whopper all right enough!" cried Snap. "It's about time you turned up. You have been very quiet lately."

"I never tell anything but the strict truth," said Whopper, meekly.

When it came time to retire, Snap asked the others if they should post a guard.

"Oh, I think we are safe enough without one," answered the doctor's son, who was fagged out. "Let's chance it."

"Most of our outfit is on the boat," said Whopper. "I don't believe anybody will carry it off."

"Let us fix the fire so it will burn the most of the night," said Giant. "That will scare off any wild animals that may be prowling around."

Wood was to be had in plenty, and they cut several sticks which were not very dry and would, consequently, burn slowly. They sat up until about nine o'clock and then turned in, resolved to be up at daybreak and on their way once more, directly after breakfast.

It was cozy enough in the tent, which was just