the meal by the light of the two lanterns hanging from hooks in
the rafters of the cabin roof.

Thad had insisted that Maurice be the skipper of the expedition,
because of his superior knowledge of boats in general, and also
his possessing the chart of the rivers.

For himself he wanted to be called the Cook, and declared that he
felt proud of his ability to fling flapjacks and do various stunts
in connection with getting up appetizing meals.

Nevertheless, it might be noticed that just as frequently the
Captain insisted on taking his turn at the fire or washing the tin
dishes after the meal; while the Cook was able and willing to
stand his "trick at the wheel" when the occasion arose. This was,
of course, stretching the imagination pretty far, since their only
means of propulsion or steering rested in that sweep.

Maurice admitted that it was indeed delightful, and the look on
his face quite satisfied the anxious Thad that as yet he could not
see the slightest cloud on the horizon to make him regret
starting.

For bread they had brought several loaves along; neither of them
had the nerve to think of baking the staff of life in that
disreputable oven, even had they known how.

Later on, however, Maurice did turn out some "pretty fair"
biscuits--that is, the boys thought them good, and they were the
ones to say, since it was their appetites that had to be