Part 3 (1/2)

”The fish would be better yet, if we had sos to broil them on, instead of the broiler,” said Bill, whose experience in ca out made him an expert adviser, ”but there doesn't seem to be any wood around here except pine And the flavor of that spoils the fish”

So they co the fish over a fire of embers that they raked out from the main blaze Bill busied hi odors that blended together ry boys ith anticipation

At last the

They had no forks, but they used their knives as substitutes

”Eating with your knife, Fred!” said Teddy, in mock horror ”What would mother say if she saw you?”

”I certainly arinned Fred ”But we're all in the saoes I don't suppose Robinson Crusoe and Friday were very particular about their table manners And this is certainly a Robinson Crusoe stunt we're doing”

”Except that this isn't an island,” laughed Lester

”And there are no cannibals ready to make us into soup,” added Bill

”And our boat hasn't been wrecked,” exulted Teddy, looking out over the water, where the _Ariel_ lay with the firelight reflected from her side

CHAPTER IV

A STRANGE MISSION

It seeh, and Fred, as he saw one bluefish after another vanish, re for breakfast the nextBut at last even their ravenous appetites were satisfied, and they lay back on the sand, blissfully content

”Easy ca,” remarked Teddy lazily ”No dishes to wash, no beds toto do till to-morrow”

”Do you think the storuess so,” answered Lester, as he looked up at the sky where so away and the wind has died down a little The surf doesn't sound so loud on the cliffs outside, either”

”I suppose your father will be worried e don't get back to-night,”

remarked Bill

”I'm afraid he will,” assented Lester ”But I've had to stay away soht in a squall, and he knows the _Ariel_ is a pretty staunch boat Still, he can't help feeling worried, and we'll ”

By this time, their clothes had dried in the warether with the hearty meal they had eaten, put the youths in a state of supreme content They were at peace with themselves and with all the world, and their satisfaction was all the greater by contrast with their peril of the afternoon

The stranger had eaten heartily and joined freely in the conversation, but by tacit consent they had waited till the meal was over before they discussed his narrow escape The Rally Hall boys had had tieneral impression was favorable

He was a clean-cut, well set up youth of about sixteen years His form was lithe and muscular, his hair black, and his eyes frank and friendly

His speech showed education, and hisabout him that marked him out as peculiar, it was a certain baffled expression that came and went in his eyes He looked like one as always seeking for solance had taken in the cove and the surrounding shore, as though to ie later on

Now as the boys lounged around the fire, he seeive soh for having pulled an

”Here's the fellow to thank,” interrupted Lester, clapping his hand on Fred's shoulder ”He went overboard after you”