"You're a good one!" shouted Ethan. "Why didn't you tell me what you were about?"
"I didn't want to spoil your appetite."
"You are a first-rate fellow, Lawry. Your breakfast looks tip-top, and I shall do full justice to it; but I must go and look at the boiler and the fires before I eat."
They sat down to breakfast when Ethan had returned and washed the smut from his face and hands. Lawry poured out the coffee, and helped his companion to ham and potatoes. The engineer ate with good relish.
"Your ham and potatoes are first-rate, Lawry; but I've seen better coffee than this," said he.
"I had nothing to settle it, and there is no milk on board."
"We had some fish-skin, and there is plenty of condensed milk on board," replied Ethan.
The coffee was subjected to a new process, and the condensed milk prepared for use. By the time the substantials of the feast had been discussed, some pretty good coffee was ready for them. The boys ate their breakfast with a zest they had never known before.
"Ethan!" exclaimed Lawry.
"What, Lawry?"