"What are you goin' fur?"
"Nothing special. Just to see how they are making out," answered Nat, evasively.
"Sure thing, we'll go," interrupted Musgrove. "Wouldn't hev 'em think they scared us none. To-morrow night, eh?—Suits me, all right."
"Wonder what luck they've had, anyway?" observed Sladder.
"Them chaps ain't no hunters. Ain't many hunters out here neither;" and at this very obvious insinuation Billy winked several times, and affected not to notice the dense silence which, for a moment, followed his words.
Appetizing odors soon filled the room, and the half-famished wanderers could scarcely wait until the steaming viands were placed on the long table near the window.
The meal was thoroughly enjoyed, and at its completion the poet laureate distinguished himself by promptly going to sleep.
"Let him be, mates," observed Yardsley. "And who's a-goin' with me ter fetch that there deer to camp?" he asked, a moment later.
"I will," said Dick Travers.
"Guess I'll go, too," added Randall.