"I didn't want to hurt McTee's feelin's. Besides, maybe a few of them
won't hurt you--much!"

McTee suddenly burst into laughter, but there was little mirth in the
sound.

"Maybe you know these are the great blue clams that are famous for
their salt."

"Really?" said Kate, greatly relieved.

"Yes," went on McTee, his eyes wandering slightly. "This species of
clam has an unusual organ by which it extracts some of the salt from
the sea water while taking its food. Look here!"

He held up a shell and indicated a blue-green spot on the inside.

"You see that color? That's what gives these clams their name and this
is also the place where the salt deposit forms. This clam has a high
percentage of salt--more than any other."

Harrigan, sending a bitter side glance at McTee, rose to bring some
more wood, for it was imperative that they should keep the fire burning
always.

"I'm so glad," said Kate, "that we have both the eggs and the clams to
rely on. At least they will keep us from starving in this terrible
place."

"H'm. I'm not so sure about the eggs."