very well, my mother, I mean, and somehow quail on toast always
appeals to her. But while you're working there, let me make more
coffee. Have you got cups and such things along in your packs, boys?"

"We have," declared the overjoyed Bud; "and this bird is just prime;
never saw a fatter one, I declare. Say, Hugh, we didn't expect such
a bully treat as this, did we, when we aimed to get here in time to
cook supper?"

Preparations progressed rapidly. As Ralph had already stowed away
quite a large quantity of wood for use during the night, that labor
was spared the two late arrivals, which fact pleased Bud very much.
He could work as hard as the next one when interested in what he was
doing, but gathering fuel had never appealed to him in the same way
it did to Billy Worth, who was all the time figuring out what
splendid things the wood could be used to cook.

As the three boys sat around eating the evening meal, they chatted in
a lively manner. Hugh told how he and Bud had had a fine lift by
means of the farmer's wagon, and then continued:

"I suppose you started this morning, and on that account missed your
Thanksgiving turkey, Ralph? But you said your mother was not
feeling well; and so perhaps the feast has been postponed at your
house to a more convenient time?"

"Just what it has," replied the other. "You see my married sisters
are expected home on Saturday night, and so mother decided to let
the big dinner go until Sunday, when we'll all be together again.
I just took a snack to munch on at noon, and brought some things to