An hour elapsed, however, without another strike. The summer sun had climbed high into the heaven and the waters of Six Town Pond were almost like glass. Walter’s impatience increased as the time slowly passed. Even conversation ceased and at last Dan said: “The water is almost too clear this morning, Walter. I’m afraid we sha’n’t get many pickerel to-day. It’s half past eleven,” he added as he glanced at his watch. “Don’t you think we’d better row over to the bluff and get a few perch for dinner?” “I’m ready,” responded Walter promptly. “Shall I reel in?” “No; you might as well troll while we’re crossing the pond. One never can tell, you know. By the way, Walter, is this a pond or a lake?” “What’s the difference? I always thought a pond was a small lake.” “A lake has an outlet; a pond doesn’t. No, it’s the other way.” “Then Ontario and Erie ought really to be called Ontario Pond and Erie Pond――they both have outlets.” “Here we are,” replied Dan, as he rowed under the shadows of the high shore. “Now you’ll have to show that you are a fisherman, Walter, or we sha’n’t have any fish for dinner. Here, let me change your tackle,” he added. In a brief time the change was made, and as Walter dropped his line into the water, Dan said: “I’ll take this other pole and try my luck. When we get a half-dozen perch that will be enough and we’ll go ashore. There’s a stone fireplace up there among those cedars which we can use.” “There was one last summer. Is this the same one?” “I guess so; it hasn’t been disturbed. Now we’ll see which will get the first perch,” he added, as he dropped a line into the water on the opposite side of the boat. The question was speedily settled, for in a brief time Dan landed two perch in quick succession. “I don’t see how you do it!” exclaimed Walter. “Then I’m afraid I can’t tell you,” said Dan good-naturedly, making his perch captive in the end of the boat. “It’s just born in some people――hello! There! I’ve got a bite!” Walter’s attention was quickly centered upon the fish he had hooked and a few minutes later, after he had succeeded in landing his prey, he exclaimed: “Mine is the biggest one yet! You can count yours if you want to. I’ll just weigh mine.” “All right. You might weigh this fellow too while you are in the business,” said Dan quietly, as he secured a perch much larger than his companion’s. “Two more will give us all we want.” The two additional perch were speedily secured, Dan catching both of them, and then the skiff was sent ashore and the boys leaped out and drew the little boat far up on the sandy beach. CHAPTER III GREAT SNAKES “You get some wood, Walter, and start a fire in the fireplace, while I am cleaning the fish and getting everything ready for dinner,” said Dan, as the two boys, with the fish they had caught and the cooking utensils in their hands, started toward the grove on the bluff. “Where’ll I find an axe?”