e did not at first notice the returning
hunter. Having finally succeeded in dragging his prize aboard, with
the help of Tony, he was made aware of the coming of his chum through
low words spoken by the swamp boy.

One look Larry gave; then seeing what it really was Phil carried on his
shoulders he let out a whoop that might have been heard a mile.

"Venison for supper, with fish! Wow! ain't we going to live high,
though? Delmonico isn't in it with we, us and company tonight. See,
I've caught three fine bass, Phil; and didn't they pull like sixty,
though? My arms are real sore after the job of getting them in. And I
didn't break your nice pole, either."

"Which was very kind of you, old fellow," said Phil. "Somebody please
take my gun, so I can dump this deer on the ground. I bled him, Tony;
but when we cut the venison up, we don't want to make a mess aboard.
And that limb up yonder will be just the ticket to hang him from
over-night, to keep our meat away from any prowling cats."

Larry drew in his line and put away his fishing rod, which of course
was to him only a "pole." He immediately busied himself in getting
ready to cook supper. And presently everybody seemed hard at work.
Tony was cleaning the fish, Phil getting some slices from the haunch of
the deer; and Larry peeling potatoes which they had secured in the
river town that morning.

A couple of lanterns gave all the light needed when night gathered
around them. And after all it was not so dark; for the moon happened
to be more than half full, and being nearly overhead, shone down nicely.

Phil pounded the steaks he had cut off, hoping in this way to make them
somewhat more tender. A fire was built ashore, since they had need to
save their kerosene when it could be just as well done as not.

Over this Larry got busy. He had all the assistance he required; for
as soon as the coffee got to boiling, the fish to frying, after being
placed in a pan where some salt pork had been tried out; and the
venison to browning, the mingled odors caused every fellow to realize
that he was mighty hungry.

As long as he lived Larry would probably never forget that first supper
in the wilderness. It seemed to him as though he might be living in an
enchanted land; with that silvery moon shining overhead, the fire
sparkling near by, and all those delightful dishes awaiting attention.

Food never tasted one half so delicious as it did right then; for
already wa