They did not prolong their bath because Owen had declared breakfast almost
ready. As Bandy-legs remarked, they could take a dip at any old time; but
breakfasts only cropped up once in every twenty-four hours.

And, hence, it was not long before they were seated around the table,
enjoying the bacon and fried eggs, hominy and coffee, that the cook of
the morning had provided; flanked by an abundance of home-made bread and
country butter.

The conversation turned from one subject to another. First it was the
chance of their being discovered and annoyed by the crowd that ran with
Ted Shafter. Then came talk of the mysterious shell gatherers, whose secret
industry the sudden coming of the Ranger Boys might interfere with.

Max was several times tempted to bring up the subject of the pearl, just to
find an opportunity for asking Steve if it had been a bad dream that sent
him from his warm blanket to make sure the little packet was safe.

Then he decided to hold back just a little longer, and let one of the
others start the ball rolling.

No doubt Steve would volunteer a satisfactory explanation without being
prodded, given time.

Sure enough, it was Bandy-legs who brought the conversation around to the
subject of the pearl.

He and Toby seemed to disagree as to the size of the prize, the latter
stubbornly insisting that it was as large as a little marble.