This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
THE OLD HERMIT'S TALE
143

hard work to close their eyes. But no alarm came, and when the sun came up all felt relieved.

"We may stay up here for weeks and never see or hear of that ghost," said Snap. "I don't believe it shows itself very often."

"Oh, I don't suppose it appears and disappears by the clock, like a cuckoo," said Whopper. "It will most likely lay low and scare us to death when we least expect it."

It was the middle of the forenoon before they were ready to embark on a tour of the lake. They decided to skirt the entire shore, or at least such a portion of it as looked inviting, and then pick out a spot for a regular camp. They proceeded slowly, for there was no need to hurry and they did not wish to miss any spot that might be of especial advantage.

It was not yet noon when they turned into a little cove, bordered by low-hanging bushes. They looked ahead, and then Shep ordered the others to stop rowing.

"I just saw something, back of yonder bushes," he whispered, excitedly. "I am not sure, but I think it was a couple of deer!"