The boys could scarcely see their hands before them; and Frank had accomplished something worth boasting of in being able to conduct his cousin directly to the bridge.
"It will require the skill of a rope-dancer to cross that bridge now," said Archie; "and, if we should happen to slip off into the water, we would be in a nice fix." "Besides," said Frank, "if we did succeed in crossing, we could not go far in the dark, on account of the swamp; so, I think, we had better wait." The boys stood under the tree, talking in low tones, when Frank suddenly exclaimed, "We're all right.

The geese are in the lake.

Do you hear that ?" Archie listened, and heard a splashing in the water, mingled with the hoarse notes of the gander.
"I wish it was daylight," said he, impatiently.
"Don't be in a hurry," said Frank; "there's time enough." "I'm afraid they will start off as soon as it gets light." "Oh, no; the lake is a good feeding-ground, and they would stay, perhaps, all day, if they were not disturbed." In about an hour the day began to dawn; and, as soon as objects on the opposite side of the creek could be discerned, Frank led the way across the bridge.

A short run through the woods brought them to the swamp.
Now the hunt began in earnest.

The swamp was covered with water, which, in some places, was two feet deep; and the trees and bushes grew so thick, that it was with difficulty that they could work their way through them.