“All I can think of to do is to take our guns and walk up and down the lake front,” said the doctor’s son.  “Two can go one way, and two the other.  If you see anything, shout or fire a gun.”

“Shall we have breakfast first?” asked Snap, “It’s started.”

“Might as well, since we don’t know how long this search will last.”

Much disappointed, the chums walked back to the camp fire and there made a hasty meal of cold partridge, crackers, cheese and coffee.  They left Wags tied to the tent pole.

“Maybe he’ll scare off intruders—–­if any come,” said Shep.

It was decided that Snap and Shep should go up the shore and Giant and Whopper down in the direction of the river leading to Lake Cameron.  All started off briskly, anxious to catch sight of their craft as speedily as possible, or learn what had become of it.

It was comparatively easy to walk along the shore of Firefly Lake, and Snap and the doctor’s son made good progress.  They passed the camp, receiving a joyous bark from Wags, and then skirted a small bay leading to a fine, sandy beach.

“Fine spot for a swim,” remarked Snap.  “We ought to have one before we go to the mountains.”

“Yes; but let us find the boat first.”

“Of course.”

Half an hour’s walking brought the two churns to another bay.  They were walking behind a fringe of bushes, and now the doctor’s son stepped forward, parted the branches and peered eagerly out on the bosom of the lake.

“Hello!” he cried, with something of joy in his voice.

“Is it the boat?”

“Yes!”

And now Snap came forward.

“There it is, just rounding yonder bend of the shore.  Hurry up!  We’ll catch the rascal who is running off with it!”

They had seen the craft, piled high with their outfit.  A single person was at the oars—–­a boy, by his size.  He was pulling leisurely.

“Maybe he won’t come ashore; and we can’t follow him out on the lake,” said Snap.

“We won’t have to follow him.”

“But if he won’t come in?”

“We’ll make him,” and the doctor’s son raised his shotgun significantly.

“That’s so; I forgot about our guns.  Of course he’ll come in if we threaten to shoot him.”

The boys quickened their footsteps and soon reached a point opposite to where the rowboat was moving along.

“Hi, you, stop!” yelled Shep loudly.  “Stop, I say!”

At the command the boy in the boat ceased rowing and looked around curiously.

“Who called?” he asked in a low but distinct voice.

“I did,” went on the doctor’s son.  “Turn in here with that boat and be quick about it.  What do you mean by running off with our property?”

“Why, I declare!” gasped Snap as he caught a good look at the face of the lad in the rowboat.  “Shep, do you recognize him?  He’s the lad from the circus—–­the young acrobat who ran away!”