Part 13 (1/2)
”This is Crown Point on our left and Chimney Point on our right,” said Bert. ”I came up here once in a small sail boat. I think this will be a fine place to camp to-night.”
The boys agreeing, they pitched their tents on the Crown Point side and began to prepare the evening meal. While they were at work, they heard voices nearby and looked up to see two strange-looking men approaching along the sh.o.r.e of the lake. It was rapidly growing dusk, and the features of the strangers could not be distinguished. They had apparently not seen the boys, for they were discussing something in low tones.
Then one of the men placed a finger to his lips and the talking ceased.
They were looking straight toward the camp, the fire having attracted their attention. The next instant both men were off like the wind, cras.h.i.+ng through the under-brush and after a moment the darkness swallowed them up.
The boys stood with open mouths staring after them.
”Well, what do you make of that?” asked Bert.
”Don't know what to make of it,” said Chot. ”But I know one thing-there's something suspicious going on around here.”
And the others agreed.
CHAPTER X-A SURPRISE IN THE DARK
”Hope we don't run into any counterfeiters,” said Pod. ”I've heard that such people frequented lonely spots on the lake sh.o.r.e.”
”I'm afraid they are criminals of some sort,” said Chot. ”Otherwise they would not be afraid of a bunch of young fellows like us.”
”Wonder where they went?”
”They started north, but may be going west or south by this time.”
They continued to discuss the strange incident during the meal. The thought that suspicious characters might be in the neighborhood did not disturb their appet.i.tes, however, and when at last they arose from their improvised lunch table, not a vestige of food remained.
Fleet, as usual, had carried on the brunt of the eating, and he grunted uncomfortably as he arose and signified his intention of going to bed.
”Don't go to bed on a full stomach,” advised Chot.
”I'm not; I'm going to bed on my back.”
”Oh, pshaw! I cracked that one myself,” said Pod.
”No; not that one.”
”Well, one just like it.”
”I didn't hear it,” said Fleet.
”Yes, you did hear it, and you've got to stop telling my jokes and palming them off for new ones.”
”Everyone knows that's not new. I read that in one of the comic papers when I was a little boy.”
”You're not much more than that now,” sniffed Pod.
”Go ahead,” said Fleet, good-naturedly. ”You can't make me mad after a meal like that.”
”Stop quarreling, you fellows,” said Chot. ”I read that joke myself three years ago.”