“What’ll we have for dinner?” asked David. “I’m gettin’ hungry already.”
“Meat and other things. They’s no knowin’ what all,” answered Indian Jake cautiously.
“What’ll there be t’ have besides meat?” asked Andy curiously.
“Whitefish, maybe—and other things. But I don’t want any questions asked,” warned Indian Jake. “I’m gettin’ dinner. You’ll see what we have when th’ time comes.”
Indian Jake was most mysterious, and he was in great good humor with it all. The boys were keyed to a high state of expectancy. Something unusual was surely in store for them. The kettle boiled and in due time sent forth a most delicious and appetizing odor. The boys speculated and endeavored to identify the odor until suddenly David, with a happy thought, exclaimed:
“She smells like goose!”
“Where’d I be gettin’ goose this time o’ year?” asked Indian Jake, as though it were a most preposterous suggestion. “Didn’t we eat all the geese we had frozen up after the bear’s meat was gone?”
“Aye,” admitted David regretfully, “we ate un all; but she smells wonderfully like goose, and I wish she were goose!”
“She ain’t deer’s meat, whatever!” declared Andy.
“You’ll see when the time comes,” was all the satisfaction Indian Jake would give them, as he partially lifted the lid and threw some salt into the kettle as seasoning. Then, pouring boiling water into the kettle containing the pudding, he placed it also on the stove.