old Giraffe here is nearly perishing for a little bite of supper."

A rippling laugh ran around at this, for every one knew the failing of
the long-legged scout, whose stowage capacity when it came time to eat
had never as yet within the memory of any comrade been fully tested; for
they always declared that his legs must be hollow, for otherwise it was
a mystery where all the food he devoured went to, since he never seemed
to get any stouter after a meal than he was before.

The march was accordingly resumed, with Tad and Allan leading the van.
The boys were going light, because they did not intend to do much
camping on this trip, as it was expected that the boat would accommodate
all of them with sleeping quarters.

Each one had a blanket strapped to his back, and with this were a few
necessities in the line cooking utensils and food. Most of their
luggage had been sent on by another route, as had also their supplies.
Doctor Hobbs had wished them to go to the landing where their boat was
to meet them, by following this roundabout course, having had some
reason of his own for visiting the country. His folks in Cranford owned
considerable land in this vicinity, and it was said that there were out-
croppings of valuable copper to be found upon it; which accounted for
the young man's desire to make inquiries while up in this region.

Joking and laughing, and even singing snatches of school songs, the boys
of the Silver Fox Patrol tramped along the road that was to bring them
to the shore of the lake by and by.

It was about half-past four when they obtained their first glimpse of
the apparently boundless body of water, said to be the largest fresh