breakfast was a success. Larry could cook, even if he
did lack many of the qualities that should be found in a woodsman; and
was woefully ignorant as to the thousand and one things connected with
the great outdoors.

Still, Phil had hopes of him. From time to time he kept dinning
certain facts into the ears of his chum. These concerned the secrets
of the open, and which at times are so important to any one who dares
venture into the woods.

He explained for instance, to his boat mate, just how to learn the
direction of the compass from the sun, the marks on the trees, and even
his watch, if put to it. He showed him how to make a fire without a
match, by the use of friction, after the manner of savage tribes who
never knew flint and steel, or a brimstone stick. He explained to
Larry how easy it was to cook game, by making a fire in a hole until it
had become very hot, and then placing the meat therein; sealing the
oven until hours had elapsed; which backwoods method of cooking was
really the first fireless cooker known.

In these and dozens of other ways Phil daily taught his chum. Larry
evinced considerable interest in the matter so long as his comrade was
speaking; but that was about as far as it went. He did not have the
spirit in him; and the seed fell on barren ground. Larry would never
in all his life make a genuine woodsman. But if he kept on, he might
in time get a job in a restaurant over the grill, so Phil assured him,
as he complimented Larry on the fine omelet.

An hour later they left the place which Larry called "Wildcat Camp" in
his log of the motor boat cruise.

Larry was full of high spirits. Indeed, it was hard for him to keep
from showing his bubbling good nature at any and all times. Phil too
seemed quite contented with the way things were moving along. Only the
swamp boy gave evidence of increasing uneasiness.

Tony would sit there as if lost in thought, his eyes fastened on the
frank face of the young fellow for whom he had come to entertain such a
lively sense of friendship in the short time he had known him. Then he
would sigh, and shake his head dolefully, as though he foresaw troubles
arising which he would fain ward off, if only Phil would accept his
earnest advice, and turn around before it was too late.

But Phil believed he had that on his person which would change the
terrible McGee from a bitter enemy into a good friend; and confident in
his own honorable intentions h