were a part of the Spanish force."
"They think they know it, an' they'll hang 'roun' until to-night, when
they're more'n likely to shoot into the Spanish camp."
"Which won't hurt us, Sol."
"Not a leetle bit. We kin sing all the time, 'dog eat dog, go it one, go
it tother.'"
"Instead of singing," said Henry smiling, "we can put in most of the time
sleeping."
"Both please me," said Shif'less Sol, rubbing his hands gleefully.
Everything befell as they thought it would. Other canoes appeared at the
edge of the wood on the far shore, but on every occasion further down the
river. There was no doubt in the minds of the watchful observers aboard
"The Galleon" that they were spying upon the Spanish camp and meditated an
attack at night. It was equally certain that the Spaniards knew nothing of
the Indians' presence. All the five were now awake and they rejoiced at
the prospect.
"I see an easy day comin' to me," said Shif'less Sol luxuriously. "'Tain't
often that a lazy man like me kin hev sech a good time an' I'm goin' to
make the most o' it."
"I think," said Henry, "that while the Indians are busy with the Spaniards
we'd better try to fix up that sail. We don't need a tent and we do need a
sail. Some time or other, when we get in a pinch, the sail might do the
pulling, leaving the rowers free to use their rifles."
"Jest ez I might hev expected," said Sol in a tone of disgust. "All ready
for rest, fixed fur it most bee-yu-ti-ful-ly, an' told instead that I
must go to work. This world shorely ain't kind to a good man."
Once more the staunch ship, "The Galleon," proved herself to be a treasure
house. They found in the lockers plenty of rope and stout cord, and they
cut in the forest a stout young sapling which they made of the right
length, peeled off the bark, and adjusted in rude fashion, as a mast. They
also made a boom and then rigged a single sail, somewhat after the fashion
of the cat-boat of the present day.
This would have been an impossible task to them, had not "The Galleon"
been so well provided with axes, saws, hammers, other valuable tools, and
cord and nails. The mast could be taken down in an emergency, but they
were all of the opinion that the sail would draw, and draw well. It might
not always be easy to control it, but "The Galleon" was built in Spanish
fashion, heavy, deep, and square, and it would take a great deal to make
her capsize.
While the others worked one watched, and the boat
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