than upon the
island. That same fowl passed closer to us than it did to him."

"I suppose," laughed Howard, "that he was hunting after game of some
kind, and had no idea of shooting the bird until it passed so near him
that he saw it was quite the thing we needed, and so he toppled it
over."

"Me views intirely," assented Tim. "I agraas wid both of yees."

A few moments later the Pah Utah appeared with the bird in his hand, and
flinging it into the canoe quickly paddled back to the island. His bird
proved to be a species of wild goose, that seemed to have strayed from
its flock and gone wandering through the Salinas Valley at this season
of the year ultimately to fall before the rifle of Shasta.

Our friends were in ecstasies over their prospective meal. The Indian
displayed the same skill in dressing the bird that he did in preparing
the fish. The feathers were quickly twitched off, and the dry driftwood
piled upon the upper end of the island was the best fuel they could have
had for the purpose. When done, it was "done brown," and to a turn; and
to the famishing travelers nothing could have been more savory and
luscious.

The truth of it was, the boys found that this kind of life was agreeing
with them amazingly. Their appetites were fierce, their sleep sound, and
a feeling of perfect health diffused itself through their glowing
frames, such as they had never known before. Their exposure to the night
air troubled them at first, but they soon recovered from it and enjoyed
"camping out" as thoroughly as did old campaigners.

It was a very good thing, it is true, for a while; but don't let any
boys get the idea of following their example, unless they are compelled
in precisely the same manner to do so. If any youngster imagines he has
formed true ideas of distant countries from the narratives of adventures
which he may have read, he will find himself most woefully mistaken.
Never think of traveling until you are a married man, and by that time
you will have made up your mind to be sensible and stay at home.

When the meal was finished, and their appetites satisfied, the Pah Utah,
instead of immediately embarking, walked to the lower end of the island,
and stood for some time apparently examining some sign further down the
river. Following the direction of his eyes, our friends could see
nothing unusual until Elwood detected something in the air on the
western bank which at first resembled a light cloud, but which