that distance," said the leader of the club. "I suppose the best
thing to do is to camp where we are."

So it was decided, and once more the tent was hauled forth, and
preparations were made to start a campfire. Whopper and Snap went
to cut the wood. They had just stepped into the bushes when Shep
and Giant heard several wild cries.

"A snake!"

"A dozen of them! This is a regular nest! Run, they are after us!"

And then both boys came running out of the bushes with all possible
speed.




CHAPTER XVII

ON LAKE NARSAC AT LAST


It was true, they had struck a regular nest of snakes, and in less
than a minute the camp seemed to be fairly overrun with the reptiles,
which were from a foot to three feet in length.

Now, if there was one thing which the young hunters hated worse than
anything else, it was a snake, and consequently there was a lively
rush to get out of the way of the reptiles. The snakes were dark