They all agreed with him and were soon warm and cozy in their sleeping bags, sleeping as only tired men can sleep out of doors. The fire died down, the greenness of the nearby branches became gray and then black and were finally merged into the blackness of the surrounding woods, and not a sound told that here under God's own canopy slept human beings enjoying nature as the primeval men of old did.
CHAPTER X
MOCCASINS AS FOOD
Pud made good the next morning, for when Bill woke him he got up at once, plunged into the lake for an eye opener, and was ready with rod and line as soon as Bill. They were soon out on the lake and Bill made at once for the trout hole that he had spotted the night before. They had remarkably good luck and returned in time for breakfast with twenty-five fine trout. These they cleaned and handed to Jack, who soon had them sizzling on the fire and ready for breakfast. Bob and Mr. Waterman had also gone fishing. They did not return until Jack's cheery "Halloo!" brought they in scurrying. After breakfast they divided into parties. Bob and Mr. Waterman elected to go hunting partridges, while the others said that they would go fishing. Bob and Mr. Waterman were soon off. Arriving at the far end of the lake, they left their canoes and were soon lost in the depths of the forest. For some time they went along, but at last Mr. Waterman noted a partridge, and with a clever shot it was his. They wandered around, climbed a mountain and incidentally got three more birds, two of which Bob had the good fortune to bag.
"Well, we'd best be going," said Mr. Waterman. "Lead the way."
Bob said nothing, but started off confidently. Mr. Waterman followed on for a few minutes. He then asked,
"Let's see your compass, Bob."
Bob felt in his pocket, but did not find it there. He then remembered that he had left it in his sleeping bag. He was compelled to confess as much to Mr. Waterman.