Then all of the young hunters gazed ahead.

"Well, I never!"

"If this isn't too bad for anything!"

Such were the exclamations uttered. And there was good cause for their
consternation and dismay. Instead of the tidy cabin they had expected
to see, nothing but a heap of blackened logs confronted them.

The log cabin had been burnt to the ground.




CHAPTER VII

A DISMAYING DISCOVERY


The hearts of the four young hunters went "down in their boots" as
they surveyed the desolate scene before them.

They had spent much hard labor over the cabin which had been their
home during a large part of the summer outing, and they had fully
expected to find it in the same condition as when they had locked it
up and come away.

"Boys, what can this mean?" said Snap at last. Who has played us this
shabby trick?"