“I wonder who that is on the other side of the lake?” said Archie.

“I guess it’s Bill Johnson,” answered Frank, who had reloaded his gun, and stood holding it in the hollow of his arm.  “I saw a dog that looked very much like his bringing out the geese.  There he is now!”

And as he spoke the boy stepped out of the bushes, and a loud, shrill whistle echoed across the lake.

“That’s Bill,” said Archie.  “Hallo!” he continued, raising his voice so that William could hear; “wait for us at Uncle Mike’s—­will you?”

“All right,” shouted William, in reply.

And, gathering up his game, he again disappeared in the bushes.

By this time Brave had brought out the last of the geese, and Archie had succeeded in shooting off the wet charge; so they started back toward the road.

Frank led the way, carrying three of the geese; Brave followed close at his heels, carrying the fourth; and Archie brought up the rear, loading his gun as he went.

An hour’s walk brought them to Uncle Mike’s, where they found William sitting on the fence, waiting for them.

“What luck?” inquired Archie, as they came up.

“Only two,” answered William; “but you have been more fortunate.”

“Yes,” said Archie, “we’ve got four; and Frank wounded another so badly that he can’t fly far.  We are going to look for him in the creek, as we go along.”

“And I hope we shall get him,” said Frank; “for he was the largest of the flock, and I want him for our museum.”

The boys walked slowly down the creek, keeping a good look-out for the wounded bird among the reeds along the bank; but they reached the cottage without seeing any signs of him.

“I’m afraid we’ve lost him,” said Archie.

“I’m sorry,” said Frank, “for he was a nice, big fellow.  Let’s go back; perhaps we’ve overlooked him.  I am certain that he could not have flown to the river.”

At this moment a slight splashing in the water, on the opposite side of the creek, attracted their attention, and they discovered their game swimming slowly about among the reeds, as if trying to find some place of concealment.

“Now, Archie,” said Frank, dropping the butt of his gun to the ground, “there’s a chance for you to retrieve your lost reputation.”

“And I’ll take advantage of it,” said Archie, raising his gun to his shoulder.

A loud report followed his words, and the goose, after a few slight struggles, lay motionless on the water.  Brave immediately sprang into the creek, and, forcing his way among the reeds, seized the bird and brought it to the shore.

CHAPTER XVI.

Chapter of Incidents.