a meal. True, Jimmy
would run over a long list of things that appealed especially to his
clamorous appetite; but after all was said and done, it might be
noticed that each meal was very much a repetition of those that had gone
before.

Indeed, even at that, no one would have complained of the sameness of
their food, if only the supply looked more promising.

Jimmy, who helped get supper ready, heaved many a heavy sigh, as he
figured that at this rate the larder would be bare by the next evening.

"And after that, what?" he went around asking every one; but they only
laughed at his fears, and told him to remember that in the past luck
always came their way when the skies looked darkest.

"Something will happen, see if it don't," Frank observed, with a faith
that had solid foundation; because they had just been talking of many
occasions when circumstances had suddenly arisen to bring them a
glorious success.

"And, anyhow, we'll often look back to this hotel on the beach with a
smile," was what Teddy observed, as he turned his head and glanced at
the dilapidated cabin of the wrecked whaling vessel, seen by the fitful
flashes of light from the fire, at which Francois was cooking supper.

"We'll miss the mattress of hemlock browse to-night, I reckon," Ned
hinted, as he looked down at the hard floor of the cabin.

"Look out for lame limbs to-morrow morning, then," Jack chuckled. "I
expect to see a lot of limping cripples start out the first thing.
Sleeping on boards may be better than nothing, but it's little rest I
expect to get."

"I've heard of fellers sleepin' standin' up," Jimmy informed him.
"There's that old veteran, Daddy Spellmire, who tells such yarns about
the old days when he 'fit in the war with Siegel.' He says some of them
were so dead tired that when they were marching they'd press close up
together; and often he's slept while moving his legs in a mechanical
way, held up by his comrades all around."

"We might try that if everything else fails," said Frank.

Supper being ready they started in and enjoyed it. Boys are not prone to
worry very much about the future. The present is enough in their
estimation to look after. What might happen was for them to handle when
it came to pass; only Jimmy, at times, liked to grumble and complain
that he was not getting a square deal.

When they had finished eating, it was night. Though stars had peeped out
here and there, it still looked somewhat gloomy, even