When they returned each had his arms full of brush and vines, all of
which they dumped in a heap on the edge of the rapids.

"It doesn't look very promising," said the Professor, with a doubtful
shake of his head.

"No, I guess it will be a quick fire," answered Tad. "Ned, you get
the coffee ready and the other things so we can put them on the fire
the moment we get it started. I'll have the pile ready by the time
you are."

With considerable skill the lad arranged the heap, placing the dead
leaves and the driest of the sticks at the bottom. On top he placed a
mass of half green stuff, packing the whole down by throwing himself
on the pile, after which he rounded it up in a mound shape, with a
circle of stones in the middle.

The fire blazed up encouragingly, and Ned, getting water from the
rapids for the coffee, put the pot quickly into the ring of stones.

"Something's going to happen in about a minute," announced Chunky,
with an air of great wisdom. He had been watching the preparations
with hands thrust deeply into his pockets.

"What's going to happen?" demanded Ned, turning on him sharply.

Chunky, instead of replying, leaned back against the rocks and began
to whistle. In a moment the disaster that he had foreseen was upon
them.