k. "I should be
real glad to have a mess of fresh fish and if you'll promise to return
before dark you may go for the day."

"Captain, we'll vote you a leather medal," declared Arnold.

"Yes," agreed Harry, "and not only that, but we'll fetch him back a mess
of fish that'll keep the crew busy for a week."

"Let's go over and see the ship carpenter. He can tell us where the good
fishing spots are and what bait to use," Harry suggested.

"While they are over there getting information, let us put up a lunch
for them," Tom said. "I'll pack a lot of sandwiches and put in a can of
coffee and some pickles. That ought to last them."

In a short time the boys returned and taking tackle and lunch set off up
the river in the boat found on Petit Bois Island. Gaily they waved their
hands at their comrades as they rounded a bend.

During the remainder of the day Jack, Tom and Frank were about the
shipyard watching the carpenters at work on various vessels of small
tonnage drawn up for repairs. After dinner they went uptown to purchase
the necessary paint and to arrange for an additional supply of canned
goods with which to stock their larder.

"Let's get some vegetables for supper," Tom said as they visited one of
the stores. "It will surprise the boys when they get back all tired and
hungry. They'll like that."

Well loaded the lads returned to the shipyard. As they neared the place
where their vessel was now lying on the ways, Jack stopped short in his
tracks. He turned a startled glance toward his companions. Alarmed, they
eagerly crowded closer.

"What's the matter, now?" inquired Tom in a whisper.

"I just saw Wyckoff sneaking behind that shed," Jack replied.

CHAPTER XII

SAVED BY A STRANGER

"Look, Harry," Arnold cried as they rowed along. "See the palm leaf fans
all growing in bunches on shore there."

"Those must be what they call 'Palmettos,'" answered Harry.

"Are they good to eat?" was Arnold's query.

"Not that I know of," Harry replied, "unless some native animal here
wants to commit suicide. They are rough and have barbs growing on the
leaf stems. They do resemble palm leaf fans with streamers on the edge.
We won't bother them, though."

"Surely not," responded Arnold. "But look at that tree with all the gray
washing hanging on it. Looks for all the world like all the kitchen
mechanics and pot wrestlers in the world had hung their dirty dish
cloths on it to dry. And there's another--and