open.

Jim, by the way, had been fastened to a cleat, and was perched on the
edge of the cabin roof, no one as yet daring to touch him; though he had
eaten some meat they placed within his reach, which proved that the owl
did not mean to starve himself to death, yet awhile at least.

All at once Bumpus felt a galvanic shock.

"Oh!" he shouted in excitement, "it's come at last!"

All the others started up in great alarm.

"What ails the fellow?" cried Step Hen.

"Got a fit, I reckon!" echoed Giraffe.

"Fit nothing!" mocked the fat scout, who was bending over, and seemed to
be clawing wildly at the air, so that it was no wonder in the darkness
they thought he must be having a return engagement with that sea
sickness; "I've got a fish, and that's more'n you can claim, Giraffe,
with all your smartness!"

"Bah! never count your chicken's till they're hatched!" scoffed the
other, as he saw the fat scout suddenly pause, as though there had come
a sickening slackening of the line. "Imagination is a great thing,
mebbe; but next time be sure of your game before you whoop it up so."

"But he's there yet, I tell you!" ejaculated Bumpus, again becoming
active. "Hi! somebody lend me a hand here, so I won't lose him. We need