The onions came, and when thanks had been offered Eli tasted his
first potato.

"They is fine, now! Wonderful fine eatin'," he declared.

"Try an onion, now. They's fine, too," Thomas urged.

Eli took an onion.

"She has a strange smell," he observed before biting into it.

Eli took a liberal mouthful of the onion. He began to chew it. A
strained look spread over his face. Tears filled his eyes. But Eli was
brave, and he never flinched.

"'Tis fine, I like un wonderful fine," Eli volunteered presently,
adding, "if she didn't burn so bad."

"Take just a bit at a time," advised Thomas, laughing heartily, "and
eat un with bread or potaters and you won't notice the burn of un."

Presently Eli told of his experiences with Indian Jake, and Andy told
of the tracks he had seen under the window, and all of the boys told
of what had happened on the island, the theft of the boat, the tracks
of the nailed boots and the discovery of the boat at Fort Pelican.

Then Eli made an announcement that again laid the burden of suspicion
more strongly than ever upon Indian Jake.