"Too bad we couldn't find anything." "There must have been boats on this lake at one time," hinted Dave, "or else there wouldn't be that broken-down old pier near the camp." "I guess there was a time when this lake was a fishing ground to supply the Gridley and other near-by markets," Dick went on.
"But, fellows, there's a curious thing about these fish markets that I don't know whether you've noticed.

There are several fish stores in Gridley, and yet in all of them you couldn't buy a pound of fish except the kinds that are caught in salt water.

I wonder if there are any fish markets in this part of the country that make a specialty of fresh-water fish ?" More slowly, Dick, Dave and Greg retraced their steps.
"Hoo-hoo! Hoo-hoo!" signaled Dick as they neared their camp.
From away up the shore the answering "hoo hoo!" came faintly.
"Tom didn't give up the search as easily as we did," commented Dave.

"Poor old chap, he will be seriously disappointed if he hasn't found something that will float.

He's the one sincere fisherman of the crowd, and the bass certainly have hypnotized him." "Race you back to camp," offered Dick.
"Come back," laughed Dave, "and make a fair start." But Dick kept on, laughing back at his distanced comrades.