After all it was Nick who discovered the opening. Josh declared that the fat boy’s vision was sharpened by the clamorous demands of his appetite; but Nick, as usual, paid little attention to such slurs.
“Who’s going ashore to find a butcher shop?” he demanded, as they began to draw close in to the shore, and get ready to tie up.
“I appoint you a committee of one to secure the steak,” said Jack, solemnly; “and remember, don’t let it be a bit over one inch thick, and weigh more than five pounds.”
“Good gracious! that wouldn’t be even a pound apiece!” expostulated Nick.
“All right! we expect to have some other things along with it, remember,” Jack continued. “You know the penalty of disobedience to orders, Buster?”
“Deprived of food allowance for twenty-four hours!” broke in Josh.
Nick only groaned; and presently finding a chance to creep ashore he hurried off on his delightful errand. For when there was anything connected with meals to be done, Nick was as spry as anybody in camp.
It was some little time before he showed up again.
“Wow! look at what’s coming, would you?” shouted Josh, suddenly.
Of course it was Nick, laden with various packages, and grinning amiably.