CHAPTER X.
POWDER MILLS, OR JUST WHAT?
"If that's a thunderstorm," muttered Greg Holmes, barely half awake, "then it's going to be a dandy!" But Dick seized him by one arm and shook him.
"Come to your senses, Greg! That wasn't thunder." "No; but what was it ?" wondered Dave.
"I'm going to dress and find out," rejoined Dick sturdily.

He sat on the edge of his canvas cot and began to pull on his clothing.
BANG! All were awake enough now to appreciate fully the force of this second jarring explosion.
"I wonder if there are any powder works off in this wilderness ?" asked Danny Grin.
But Dick, who had now dressed as fully as he intended to do, save for the lacing of his shoes, now came back from the doorway of the tent with the lantern, the wick of which he was turning up.
"No powder mills in this part of the world," he declared.

"But, gracious! The explosion seemed big enough." Tom Reade stepped over to Prescott, whispering in the latter's ear: "What if this is another chapter in the lake mystery that we struck this afternoon ?" "That's possible," nodded Dick.
"What are you two fellows whispering about ?" called Hazelton.
"We're using whispers in case there's anyone else near enough to hear speaking voices," Prescott explained in a low tone.
That was enough to fan the curiosity of the others, who, partially dressed, crowded about Prescott and Reade.
Leaving the lantern in the tent, Dick & Co.

gathered in the darkness in the open air.
"What do you make of it, Dick ?" Dave asked.
"Just as much as you fellows do---no more," came the reply.
"If it isn't anything that carries danger to us," proposed Darrin, "we may as well go back and to bed." "All who are sleepy enough may go back and turn in," Prescott suggested.

"I'll stay up and watch for a while." "So will I," promised Reade.
But it turned out that none of the party wanted to sleep.