“I am willing to let the guard slide if the others are willing, too,” said Snap; and so it was decided.

They fixed the fire so that it would not go out, and then one after another retired to the shelter among the bushes.  The moon was shining far above the trees and the center of the lake glistened like a mass of silver.  Occasionally they heard the hoot of the owl, and the far-off bark of a fox, but otherwise all was silent.

When the boys awoke, the sun was shining brightly.  Shep was the first to rouse up and he slipped outside and looked around the clearing and on to the lake.  Not a person or a creature was in sight.  He stirred up the fire and piled on some wood and then began to wash up.

“Hullo! you up already?” The call came from Snap, and soon all of the others sprang up and came from the bush shelter.

“This is fine!” exclaimed Whopper.  “My! but the lake looks grand enough to take a bath in.”

“Better try it,” returned Shep, drily.  “But first I’d advise you to wash your face only.”

Whopper ran to the shore and took a dip.

“Phew!  Cold as Greenland’s icy mountain!” he ejaculated.  “Say, if a fellow took a bath in that he’d stiffen into a mummy.  No swim for me this morning!” And after a good wash he fixed up, and the others followed his example.

All wanted some more perch, and they went fishing for their breakfast in true camping-out style.  A mess was procured in less than half an hour, and then they got one of the pans hot, while Snap made coffee and brought out the last of the bread they had brought along.

“Our next bread or biscuits we’ll have to make ourselves,” observed the youth.

It was so nice to take it easy that the young hunters did not finish their breakfast and clean up again until the middle of the forenoon.  During that time they talked matters over once more and decided to row around Lake Cameron and then make up their minds at what point to locate.

Once more the outfit was packed on board of the rowboat and they moved along the lake shore, slowly, taking in the advantages and disadvantages of every spot as they went along.  Some places seemed too high and rocky and some too low and marshy, some too barren and others too overgrown with trees and brushwood.

At last the circuit of the lake was finished and then by mutual consent they turned back to a point where there was a sloping, sandy shore.  The trees grew close to the water’s edge north and south of this point, but there was a cleared spot, and back of this a series of rocks, where they discovered a spring of clear, cold water.

“I think this is the best camping spot of the lot,” said Snap.  “Anyway, it suits me.”

“Couldn’t be better, and I am perfectly satisfied,” returned Shep.

“Count me in on stopping here,” came from Giant.

“Why, this is a perfect paradise,” remarked Whopper.  “A fairyland of beauty and natural resources.  I could live here a million years and never weary of gazing at the lake and-----”