could catch. The fishing was highly successful and the boys soon
had all the fish they would want for several days.

"Might as well give It up," said Snap, when a call from Whopper
interrupted him.

"Somebody is coming down the lake," was the announcement. "A
very old man in a canoe."




CHAPTER XVIII

THE OLD HERMIT'S TALE


All of the young hunters watched the approach of the old man with
interest. He was a very tall individual, with snow-white hair and
a flowing beard. He was dressed in a suit of rusty black, and on
his head he wore a wide-brimmed straw hat, with a big hole in the
top. His canoe was of birch bark, light and strong, and he
propelled it with a short, broad paddle.

"I'll wager he is a character," said Snap, as the man drew closer.

"Shall I hail him?" questioned Whopper, as it looked as if the
occupant of the canoe was going to pass without speaking.

"Might as well," was the answer, and the boys set up a shout. At