r take
command at once, Bunco, and show us how to encamp, for we have finished
our pipes and a very light supper, and would fain go to sleep. It's a
pity you did not arrive sooner, my poor fellow, for we have not a scrap
of food left for you, and your gun will be of no use till daylight."

To this Bunco replied by displaying his teeth and giving vent to a low
chuckle, while he lifted the flap of his pea-jacket and exhibited three
fat birds hanging at the belt with which he supported his nether
garments.

"Hooray!" shouted Larry, seizing one of the birds and beginning to pluck
it; "good luck to your black mug, we'll ait it right off."

"That's your sort," cried Muggins, whose mouth watered at the thought of
such a delightful addition to his poor supper. "Hand me one of 'em,
Larry, and I'll pluck it."

Larry obeyed; Old Peter seized and operated on the last bird, and Bunco
raked the embers of the fire together, while Will Osten looked on and
laughed. In a very few minutes the three birds were plucked and
cleaned, and Larry, in virtue of his office, was going to cook them,
when Will suggested that he had better resign in favour of Bunco, who
was doubtless better acquainted than himself with the best modes of
forest cookery. To this Larry objected a little at first, but he was
finally prevailed on to give in, and Bunco went to work in his own
fashion. It was simple enough. First he cut three short sticks and
pointed them at each end, then he split each bird open, and laying it
flat, thrust a stick through it, and stuck it up before the glowing fire
to roast. When one side was pretty well done he turned the other, and,
while that was cooking, cut off a few scraps from the half-roasted side
and tried them.

We need scarcely add that none of the party were particular. The birds
were disposed of in an incredibly short time, and then the pipes were
refilled for a second smoke.

"How comes it," inquired Will, when this process was going on, "that you
managed to escape and to bring a gun away with you? We would not have
left the ship without you, but our own escape was a sudden affair; we
scarcely expected to accomplish it at the time we did. I suppose you
had a sharp run for it?"

"Run! ductor, no, me no run--me walk away quite comfrabil an' tooked
what me please; see here."

As he spoke, Bunco opened a small canvas bag which no one had taken
notice of up to that moment, and took from it a large quantity of br