“He was savage enough, at all events,” replied Jerry. “These wild hogs put up a terrible fight, father says.”
“Oh, I know that. Wasn’t Dick Harben’s uncle killed by one? Well, he’s dead enough and we have meat to last a month.”
“Pretty strong eating,” smiled Jerry.
They called Blumpo. The homeless youth was delighted over the dead animal.
“‘Ham’s de best ob meat,’” he sang. “I’ll soon fix him up, see if I don’t.”
The boys were glad that it was getting toward morning, for the excitement had taken all the sleep out of them. They replenished the fire, and sat around waiting for daybreak.
As soon as the sun rose, Blumpo prepared breakfast, while Jerry and Harry took a plunge into the lake. It was great sport, and they remained in the water until Blumpo called them.
That day the boys tramped nearly two miles around the island. They took their guns with them and came back with their game bags full of birds. Returning, they were thoroughly tired out, but nevertheless resolved to set a watch.
“Four hours each,” said Harry, and this was agreed to.
But nothing happened to disturb them, and on the following night the watch was abandoned.