that they were not required to go any further, they scattered and
began to graze. The oxen were unyoked from the carts, and all hands
set-to to unload the miscellaneous collection of goods which had
been brought up. Only the things which Mr. Hardy had considered as
most indispensable for present use had been brought on, for the
steamer from Buenos Ayres did not carry heavy goods, and the
agricultural implements and other baggage were to come up in a
sailing vessel, and were not expected to arrive for another week.

The carts contained three small portmanteaus with the clothes of
Mr. Hardy and the boys, and a large case containing the carbines,
rifles, and ammunition. There was a number of canisters with tea,
coffee, sugar, salt, and pepper; a sack of flour; some cooking pots
and frying pans, tin plates, dishes, and mugs; two sacks of coal
and a quantity of firewood; shovels, carpenter's tools, a sickle,
the framework of a hut with two doors and windows, three rolls of
felt, a couple of dozen wooden posts, and two large coils of iron
wire. While the others were busy unloading the German had cut some
turf and built a rough fireplace, and had soon a bright fire
blazing.

"Shall we pluck the ducks?" Charley asked.

"I reckon we can manage quicker than that," the Yankee said; and
taking up one of the ducks, he cut off its head and pinions; in
another minute he had roughly skinned it, and threw it to the
German, who cut it up and put the pieces into the frying pan. A
similar process was performed with the other ducks, a little pepper
and salt shaken over them, and in a wonderfully short time the
first batch was ready. All drew round and sat down on the grass;