Charley agreed and they poled the launch away from the dock and cast the anchor, returning to the wharf in one of the skiffs. It was nearly dark when they entered the shack to find a most disagreeable surprise awaiting them.
CHAPTER IV.
THE WARNING.
Chris had started a brisk fire in the box of sand and was preparing to fry a big mess of fish which had fallen victims to his craft.
"Golly!" he exclaimed when the boys offered their assistance, "I doan want none ob you white chillens foolin' around an' spoilin' dese fish. If you-alls wants to help, jes' light up de lanterns an' sot de table."
Charley groped around, found the matches, and struck a light. "Why didn't you get more than one lantern, Walt?" he complained. "We will need four when we get to fishing."
"I bought four. They are hanging right there on the wall," his chum replied.
"There's only one here," Charley announced. "Are you sure you got four?"
"Of course," Walter replied. "Maybe some of us moved them, when we were fixing up the shack."