“This is just a taste of what is to come,” said Snap.  “At this meal we’ll have our sandwiches, cake and some hot coffee.  It will be different when we broil our deer meat, or something like that, and make hot biscuits.”

“And roast our bear steaks,” put in Whopper.  “Just wait till you see the bear I shoot!”

“He means the bear he runs away from,” said Shep, and this caused a laugh.

As soon as the water was boiling they made coffee, and then all sat around to enjoy their first meal in the open.  The adventures of the morning had given them all good appetites, and they did not stop until the entire allowance had disappeared.

“No more just now,” said Snap.  “We must keep something for supper and for breakfast, you know.  After that we have got to live on regular camp fare.”

They lolled around for the best part of an hour, then arose, cleaned up the camp, and started on their journey.

“And now for Lake Cameron!” cried Shep.  “May we reach there without further mishaps.”

CHAPTER VI

A FIRST NIGHT IN CAMP

Lake Cameron was a beautiful sheet of water, connected with the river by a narrow but deep creek lined on either side with thick blackberry and elderberry bushes.  Around the lake the scenery was rather wild, and had it been closer to the railroad would have been a great spot for sportsmen.  Even as it was, many came up there to hunt and to fish, and the boys were by no means certain that they would have even a small portion of the locality to themselves.

“I am going to see if I can’t get a shot at something on the way,” said Snap, as they turned into the creek.  “There used to be wild turkeys up here, so Jed Sanborn told me.”

“Is Sanborn out hunting?” asked the small youth of the crowd.

“Not just now, Giant.  But he said he was coming to see us some time,” answered Snap.

Snap had his shotgun ready for use, and so had one of the other young hunters.  The rowboat glided along silently.  The sun was just preparing to go down beyond the hills to the westward.

“Wait!” called Snap, in a low tone, and stood up.  Those at the oars ceased rowing.  The leader of the club took careful aim.  Crack! went the piece.

“Touch anything?” asked Whopper.

“I did.  Go ahead, and I’ll pick it up.”  They rowed on, and a minute later Snap reached out of the boat and hauled in a fine wild turkey that was still fluttering faintly.  A twist of the neck put it out of its misery, and the young hunter surveyed his game with satisfaction.

“First prize goes to Snap!” cried Shep.  “Boys, we are sure of a turkey dinner to-morrow, anyway.”

They continued on their journey, and at length came in sight of Lake Cameron, surrounded by hills and the forest.  A moment later Whopper reached for his gun, took careful aim and fired.