"Hurry up, Rand," broke in Pepper. "I can't wait much longer."
"All ready, sah," called Rand. "Dem fishes am prognosticated to ah turn."
Something passing on the river attracted attention, and the boys all walked a few paces toward the water.
At this instant, as their backs were turned, a boy ran swiftly from a nearby clump of bushes, snatched the pan from the stove, overturning the latter as he did so, and silently dashed back into the woods.
It was done so quickly and adroitly that Pepper, who was the first to catch sight of him, had scarcely time to shout:
"There goes Monkey Rae, and he has got our fish."
"What is it?" asked Rand in bewilderment.
"Monkey Rae," cried Pepper; "he's stolen our fish! Come on, boys.
After him!"
"Well, of all things!" exclaimed Rand, "that takes the cake."
"I t-t-think it takes t-t-the fish," amended Pepper, as he dashed away.