Jim had tried his hand at making bread by mixing flour and water together, and baking the stuff in an old tin pan over the embers of the tavern ruins. It was possible to eat the mixture, and that was the best that could be said, therefore we satisfied our hunger with raw bacon and imitation bread, which did not require very many minutes.
Jim and both the other fellows were eager to go with Jerry and me; but they would not be able to forward matters, and it seemed like taking too many risks to make our party so large, therefore we decided that they must stay in the smoke-house as before, a decision which was not to their liking, although neither of the lads made any protest.
Then Jerry and I set out, after listening to such advice as my father had to give, and began the search on the Eastern Branch.
There were but few vessels in port; the greater number of those that remained when the enemy entered the Potomac had run up the river as high as possible lest they be destroyed, and we did not find an oyster pungy until we were well over toward Georgetown.
It was then near noon, and Jerry and I decided that if the captain of the boat before us looked like an honest seaman, we would take the chances of telling him so much of our story as might be necessary, rather than run the risk of not finding another craft of the kind.
There were no sign of life on deck; but as we went over the rail the companion-way hatch was opened a few inches, and some one cried:
"What's wanted? This vessel is hauled up for repairs, an' there's nobody here but me—the keeper."
"Will you let us come below for a short time?" I asked, and the hatch was closed very suddenly as the voice cried emphatically:
"No; my orders are to allow no company here."
"Let me have a try at the old idiot," Jerry said in a low tone as he went toward the companion-way, and the voice from below replied, thus showing that he could hear very well even though the hatch was closed: