"We sure did," chuckled Steve.
"F-f-find anything in 'em?"
"Did we? Say, show up, Max; give these poor tired fellows a peek, that'll make 'em forget all their troubles," and Steve grinned happily as he watched the other deliberately take out his bandana, unroll its folds, and then disclose to the wondering eyes of Toby and Bandy-legs the two lovely white pearls that snuggled against the red background.
"Whoop!" gurgled Bandy-legs, excitedly, his eyes round with wonder and delight.
Toby on his part became so excited that for the time being he could not say a word. His breath came in gasps, and his lips moved vainly as he tried to express his feelings. Finally, after Steve had pounded him on the back a few times, poor Toby managed to pucker up his lips and emit the customary sharp whistle which seemed to act like magic upon his overwrought feelings, just as the safety brake does with a runaway car.
Then he drew in a long breath, and enunciated, as plainly and clearly as
Max himself could have done, the one significant word:
"Bully!"
"Gee whiz! I guess I'll get busy right away," remarked Bandy-legs, eagerly.
"No need," spoke up Owen. "Your turn will come to-morrow. I'm serving as cook this afternoon. Don't you smell fish frying? I've been over to the river myself and hooked a bunch of nice perch."
"F-f-fine. G-g-good for you, Owen," said Toby, slapping the other on the back.