Lightning seldom strikes twice in the same place, though I have known it to do so, and Mike Murphy was too wise to try a second shot, when there was not one chance in a million of repeating his . With his loftiest air he proposed that he and Hoke should take turns in displaying their skill.  
“I’ve made a bull’s eye,—do the same or betther and I’ll take a and beat that,—and so it will go. Am I corrict, dochther, in me sintiments?”
 
“Undoubtedly; you can’t refuse Mike’s offer, Hoke.”
 
The latter saw he was caught and accepted the weapon as if eager for the test, though it need not be said it was otherwise. A vague hope stirred him that the same exceptional success might reward his effort. He aimed with the care and deliberation shown by Mike, and then pulled the trigger five times in rapid succession.
 
“One of the bullets will be sure to land,” was his sustaining thought, but nothing of the kind took place. Close examination by the three showed that Hoke had not so much as grazed the trunk of the sapling.
 
Neither Mike nor the doctor laughed, restrained from doing so by a sympathy, for Hoke could not wholly hide his . Mike went so far as to say:
 
“Hoke, it was a chance shot on me part, and I couldn’t do it agin in my life time.”
 
“And now let us to dinner,” said the doctor; “it is later than usual, but the folks will wait for me.”
 
No words could be more welcome, but the fun of the was that the direction taken by the man showed that Hoke and Mike were both wrong—as the former had intimated—in locating the lake. The former grinned and the latter answered with a . The theme was one concerning which it was best to say nothing.
 
The call at the forest home of Dr. Spellman was so similar to what has been described that it need not be dwelt upon. Sunbeam showed her preference for the Irish youth, who certainly her affection, as he did in the case of Nora Friestone, whom he had met the preceding summer farther up the Kennebec. The mother was always gracious and won the good opinion of every one with whom she was brought in contact.
 
When the meal was finished, and while mother and child were busy setting things to rights, the doctor talked with his guests. Mike made known all that had occurred since his previous meeting with the physician. The latter was much interested in the experience of that forenoon.
 
“I never saw that pile of logs, which is doubtless the of some fisherman or hunter’s cabin that either was never finished or has been allowed to fall into decay. I must add one thing, however,” said the doctor gravely; “I don’t like the way those tramps are .”
 
“It strikes me that about the only thing they are doing is getting scared half to death or swimming or running for life.”
 
“But why do they stay in this 163neighborhood? The hobo doesn’t take to the woods for long, though he may hide there when the officers make it too hot for him. What can there be in this part of the world that attracts them?”
 
“They may be looking for a chance to steal from the Boy ,” suggested Hoke.
 
“The last persons two hobos would tackle. What chance would they have against twenty vigorous, active, fearless youths, who despite their peaceful principles are for stirring adventure?”
 
“Then it must be you, doctor, that they have designs upon.”
 
“I half suspect as much; I have been considerate to them despite their , more so than I shall be again if they annoy us further.”
 
Turning upon the youths, Dr. Spellman asked a question that fairly took away the breath of the two Boy Scouts.
 
“Has either of you seen Uncle and those tramps together?”
 
Hoke was not sure he understood the question. Mike was shocked.
 
“Why should they be togither, docther, 164unless the spalpeens called at his cabin for food? Ye know his latchstring is always out, but I’ve niver known of their being in his company.”
 
“Didn’t you hear them laughing or talking last night, along shore, and not far from this spot?”
 
“Be the same token I heerd two men, but they were not the tramps.”
 
“How do you know that?”
 
“Uncle Elk told me so.”
 
There was in Mike’s tones, for he resented the slightest reflection upon the , whom he held in high regard. The doctor made no reply to the words of the youth, but smoked his cigar hard and seemed to be turning over something in his mind that was of a nature.
 
Mike knew of course of the unaccountable that Uncle Elk showed toward the physician who was spending his outing in this part of Maine. Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were as much mystified as the Irish youth, and the doctor himself claimed to have no theory that would account for it. The last remark of the medical man sounded as if he reciprocated 165the dislike of the hermit. Not only that but doubtless he mistrusted him.
 
“You don’t seem any nearer the solution of the tramps’ behavior yesterday than you were at the time, and it looks to me as if you will have to wait until Uncle Elk is ready to tell you.”
 
“There saams no ither ch’ice, docther, though I’m riddy to make another try for the same. Will ye jine us?”
 
“No; there will be danger of Uncle Elk and me meeting, and I am no more anxious for it than he is. I don’t believe you will learn anything.”
 
“We sha’n’t by here, as Mickey Lanigan said whin the bull was charging down upon him—whisht! what have we now?”
 
Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes walked out of the wood and smilingly made the Boy .
 
“Just in time not to be too late for dinner,” was the warm greeting of Dr. Spellman, as he shook hands with the lads. They protested that they could not permit his wife to bother with preparing a meal, when the regular one had been finished a short 166time before, but the host would not listen, and I am compelled to say the objections of the guests were not very vigorous. All entered and crowded themselves as best they could into the limited space.
 
As the two ate, Mike and Hoke told them of their expe............