The hunters soon withdrew from the circle around the fire and made their way to their hut.
"This has been a queer trip," said Charley musingly. "I do not believe I care to make another like it. Look at all we have been through, and what have we gained by it? Nothing."
"We might stop on the St. Johns on our way back and hunt again for plumes," suggested Walter.
But the others negatived the proposal decidedly.
"It would be like tempting Providence, after the dangers we have been spared from," the captain declared.
"Dis nigger wants to get out ob a kentry where a black Englishman is called a nigger," said Chris.
"Don't mention plumes to me," exclaimed Charley, "I am sick of everything connected with this trip."
Walter smiled. "I am quite sure that I would not feel at all bad if I knew we were carrying back several thousand dollars' worth of plumes with us," he said.
"Oh, quit your dreaming and go to bed," exclaimed Charley, testily, "instead of carrying back a few thousand dollars' worth of plumes with us, we will all have to hunt for a job, when we get to the coast."
But in spite of Charley's dire prophecy, Walter was smiling as he undressed in the dark.