"They'll soon dry in the sun. We can put our
clothes on the rocks."
The boys were soon in the water and having a most glorious time. The
lake was fairly deep off the end of the boat and here they took turns
at diving. Fred and Songbird also went in for a race, the former coming
in only a few feet ahead.
"I guess we had better dress now and try our hand at fishing," said Sam
after nearly an hour had passed.
"One more dive!" cried Tom and took one full of grace, to the very
bottom of the lake.
As Tom came up to the surface he heard a cry from Sam, quickly followed
by a yell from Fred.
"What's up?" he called out, swimming toward the shore.
"Land on the boat, Tom!" cried Sam, and leaped into the craft, followed
by Fred and Powell.
"All right; but what is wrong?" asked Tom, and climbed tip over the
stern.
"We can't get our clothes."
"Why not?"
"Look for yourself."
Tom looked and gave a low whistle of astonishment. And not without good
reason, for there on the rocks where they had left their garments
rested a big black snake!
"This is interesting truly," murmured the boy, gazing at his companions
in dismay.
"I'm going to get a rock and throw it at the snake," said Sam.
A stone was close to the boat, and watching his chance, he picked it up
and threw it at the reptile.
The snake darted to one side. It was merely grazed by the rock and now
it hissed viciously.
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