"Ach, you are a fullosopher," applauded Herr Muller, who had just risen and was gingerly climbing out of the tonneau.
"And you're full o' prunes," grunted Cal to himself, vigorously slicing bacon, while Nat fixed the oatmeal, and Joe Hartley got some canned fruit ready.
Presently breakfast was announced, and a merry, laughing party gathered about the camp fire to despatch it.
"I'll bet we're the first boys that ever ate breakfast in a petrified forest," commented Joe.
"I reckin' you're right," agreed Cal, "it makes me feel like an ossified man."
"Dot's a feller whose headt is turned to bone?" asked Herr Muller.
"Must be Ding-dong," grinned Joe, which promptly brought on a renewal of hostilities.
"I've read that the petrification is caused by particles of iron pyrites, or lime, taking the place of the water in the wood," put in Nat.
"Maybe so," agreed Cal, "but I've seen a feller petrified by too much forty rod liquor."
"I wonder what shook so many of the stony stumps down," inquired Joe, gazing about him with interest.