chap of their size, or larger; but until they became used to this
strange method of living they would rather not run into any
trouble if it could be decently avoided.

Once the boat was secured to a tree ashore, they began to get busy
with preparations for supper.

While floating down-stream Thad, who was a born fisherman, and
always looking for a chance to snatch a mess of the finny tribe
out of the water, had kept a couple of baited lines dangling
behind; and during the afternoon several bites had resulted in a
couple of captures, both being of an edible variety, known along
the Ohio as buffalo fish, the two weighing possibly four pounds.

Thus they were supplied with the substantial end of a meal without
the cost of a penny.

Thad had cleaned the fish as fast as caught, so that all they had
to do now was to slap them on the frying pan, after a bit of salt
pork had been allowed to simmer, salt and pepper to taste, and
then turn when necessary.

Meanwhile Maurice had made a pot of coffee, and set the table.

A cloth would have been the height of absurdity on such a trip as
this. Maurice had settled that part of the business by tacking
white oilcloth over their single table, and this answered the
purpose admirably, besides being easily kept clean.

"Ain't it great, Captain?" asked Thad, as they sat there enjoying