"Nine, sir, when the three in the oven come out."
"What kind?"
"Mince."
"Um-um-um!" quoth the officer.
"The sun's going so low now, Kelly, that I'm minded to let you live another day," broke in Sergeant Noll.
"Aw, that's just because there's company present," growled Kelly, with a side glance at the lieutenant.
"Supper ready?" hailed a distant voice.
"Will be, when you come in and fetch the wood to cook with," Slosson hailed back through his hands.
A growl of desperation came from the party headed by Corporal Hyman. Then in they tramped, but they carried only their rifles.
"What have ye been doing the long day?" demanded Kelly, with a keen look at the party.