The news soon spread that the Gun Club of Lakeport had been organized. Many boys who possessed guns asked if they could join, and half a dozen were taken in. But of these none could go on the outing as planned, although they said they would try to join the others just as soon as they could get away. “I’ll tell you one thing I am going to take along,” said Harry. “That is a pair of snowshoes.” “Right you are,” returned Fred. “Never had so much fun in my life as when I first put on those things. I thought I knew it all, and went sailing down a slide about a mile a minute, until one shoe got caught in a bush, and then I flew through the air for about ’steen yards and landed on my head kerbang! Oh, they are heaps of fun—when somebody else wears ’em.” It was decided that all should take snowshoes. In addition they were to take their firearms, plenty of powder and shot, a complete set of camp cooking utensils and dishes, some coffee, sugar, condensed milk, flour, bacon, salt pork, beans and potatoes, salt and pepper, and half a dozen other things for the table. Mr. Rush likewise provided a small case of medicines and a good lantern, and from the Westmore household came the necessary blankets. Each lad was warmly dressed, and carried a change of underwear. “It is going to be no easy work transporting that load to Pine Island,” observed Harry, gazing at the stores as they lay in a heap on the barn floor at his parents’ place. “We are to take two low sleds,” answered Fred. “We have one and Joel Runnell will furnish the other.” The sleds were brought around Saturday morning, and by afternoon everything was properly loaded. Joel Runnell examined the new shotguns with care and pronounced each weapon a very good one. “And I hope you have lots of sport with ’em,” he added. Late Saturday evening Harry was sent from home to the mill to bring over a sack of buck-wheat flour his mother desired. On his way he passed Fred’s home, and the latter readily agreed to accompany his chum on the errand. The promise of more snow had not yet been fulfilled, and the night was a clear one, with the sky filled with countless stars. “I only hope it stays clear,” said Fred. “That is, until we reach the lodge on the island. After that I don’t care what happens.” “It might not be so jolly to be snowed in—if we run short of provisions, Fred.” “Oh, old Runnell will be sure to keep the larder full. He told me that the woods are full of wild turkeys and rabbits.” Having procured the sack of flour and placed it on a hand sled, the lads started on the return. On the way they had to pass a small clump of trees, back of which was located the district schoolhouse. As they paused to rest in the shadow of the trees they noted two men standing in the entryway of the schoolhouse conversing earnestly. “Wonder who those men are?” said Harry. “It’s queer they should be there at this hour,” returned Fred. “Perhaps they are up to no good.”