This he proceeded to do with alacrity, and the three were soon busily
engaged. Bandy-legs proved more or less clumsy, and not only cut himself
several times on the sharp edges of the shells, but banged his fingers
with the heavy stick with which he pounded.

But one way or another by degrees every one of the mussels were opened.

Disappointment followed, for while three pearls were discovered two were
so small as to give but little promise of returns; while the third proved
to be irregular in shape.

"Never mind," said Max, when he learned the result of the hunt. "Better
luck to-morrow. We've fared splendidly already. And we know our scheme
is going to be a success. Cheer up. There's Owen calling us to supper.
And we can eat our catch as long as it tastes good to us. Draw around,
fellows, and sample our new cook's stuff."

The five boys were soon engaged in satisfying the cravings of hunger. And
through the nearby woods crept the appetizing odors of coffee and fried
fish that must have been very tantalizing to any prowler less fortunate
than themselves.



CHAPTER X.

AT DEAD OF NIGHT.

So the night found them.