CHAPTER IV

A Forest Terror


"A dandy day for fishing," remarked Bert as he was dressing a few
mornings later.

"Just right for the speckled beauties to bite," acquiesced Dick as he
looked out of the window and saw the clouds that obscured the sun.

"What do you say to trying it?" suggested Tom, who was an enthusiast on
the subject. "I'd like nothing better than to whip some of these mountain
streams for trout."

"Or troll for pickerel in the lake Mr. Melton was telling us about,"
amended Bert. "He says there are some whopping big fellows up there.
We'll find plenty of bass, too, and they're fighters from way back."

At breakfast the matter was broached and met with the hearty approval of
Mr. Melton.

"I don't think it will rain before night," he said, "and on a hazy day
like this they'll keep you busy pulling them in. How about tackle? Did
you bring any along?"

"Plenty," answered Bert. "Each of us has a rod and reel. The pike and
pickerel will bite at the spoon, and we can get plenty of bait for the