ot the slightest
intention of going near the fruit in Jem's hand; but in spite of several
feints of going right away, always getting nearer, while Jem munched
away, using his left hand, and keeping his eyes half shut.

They had not long to wait, for one of the birds manoeuvred until it was
a few feet away, then made a rush, caught the berry from Jem's hand,
which closed with a snap, the second bird made a dart and caught the
berry from the first bird's beak, and Jem sat up holding a few feathers,
staring after the birds, one of which cried out in a shrill piping tone.

"Yes, I'll give you pepper next time, my fine fellow!" cried Jem.
"Nearly had you. My word, Mas' Don, they are quick. Give's another
berry."

Jem baited his natural trap again, and went on with his meal; but he had
scared away the birds for the time being, and they came no more.

"The worst of eating, Jem, is that it makes you lazy."

"And not want to move, Mas' Don. Yes, it do. But it's my 'pinion as
this was meant for a lazy country, else the water wouldn't be always on
the bile, ready for use."

"Think that's fire?" said Don, after a dreamy pause, during which he had
lain back gazing at the brilliant silver-tipped mountain, above which
floated a cloud.

"No," said Jem. "I should say as there's a big hot water place up
yonder, and that there's steam. Yes, one do feel lazy here; but it
don't matter, Mas' Don; there's no bosun, and no master and lufftenant
and captain to order you about. I rather likes it, only I seem to want
my Sally here. Wonder what she'd say to it?"

"We must get away from it, Jem."

"But we arn't got no boat, and it takes pretty nigh a hunderd men to row
one of them canoes."

"We must make a long journey through the country, Jem, right beyond
those mountains, and sooner or later we shall come to a place where
there are Englishmen, who will help us to get a passage in a ship."

Jem shook his head.

"I don't believe there's any Englishmen here, Mas' Don."

"I do. I think I've read that there are; and if we do not find any, we
shall have seen the place, and can come back here."

"He talks just like as if he was going for a ride to Exeter by the
Bristol waggon! Ah, well, just as you like, Mas' Don, only don't let's
go this afternoon, it's all too nice and comfortable. I don't want to
move. Say, wonder whether there's any fish in that lake?"

"Sure to be, Jem, and hundreds of wonders to see if we journey on."