"H-h-hope he didn't p-p-poison us?" broke out Toby.
"Why, I only put some salt in it," explained the cook, greatly broken up over his first attempt at "surprising" his chums.
"What did you take that salt out of?" asked Owen.
"This little glass jar here; but what're you grinning at? Ain't it salt at all?" demanded Bandy-legs.
"Taste it and see," Owen fired back.
The cook did so, and made a wry face.
"Baking soda!" he gasped; "and I spoiled my stew."
"And burnt it in the bargain," laughed Max, remembering the boiling-over episode; "but there's plenty to eat besides. So pitch in, boys, and after we get through we'll see what sort of luck you had this morning."