ash of lightning darted
down a hooked bill. Invariably the bill came up with a fish struggling in
its grasp.

Beautiful flamingoes hovered about the bank and many birds of brilliant
plumage darted from tree to tree. Few of these sang, except the mocking
bird, which gave forth an incessant mellow note. But it was a scene of
uncommon peace and beauty and all felt its influence.

Henry looked at the creek and the forest through which it came with an
appreciative eye. He knew because the waters of the creek were clear that
it must flow through hard, firm ground, and he was thinking at that moment
of a plan which he intended to carry out later.

Their first work was with the boat. In its long voyage on the river it had
gathered mud and other objects on its bottom. This they could see
perfectly now that it lay in the clear water, and Shif'less Sol and Jim
Hart volunteered to scrape it with two of the shovels that were contained
in the invaluable store house of "The Galleon."

Their offer was accepted, and taking off their clothing, they sprang into
the water. Once a huge cat fish from the Mississippi, unused to man,
brushed against Long Jim's leg, its horn raking him slightly. With a shout
Long Jim sprang almost out of the water and clambered up the side of the
boat.

"Somethin' big bit me!" he cried. "It took one uv my legs with him!"

"It's only a scared cat fish and you still have two legs, Jim," replied
Henry laughing boyishly, because a boy he was in spite of his size and
experience.

Jim looked down, and a great smile of delight unfolded like a fan across
his face from side to side.

"Guess you're right, Henry," he said, "an' I am still all in one piece."

He sprang back into the water, and he and Sol soon finished their task.
After that it was arranged that Sol, Jim, and Tom should give a thorough
furbishing to the boat's interior, wash and dry their spare clothing and
bedding, while Henry and Paul went on a hunt for a deer to replenish their
larder.

"You see, Paul," said Henry, "the waters of this creek are quite clear,
which means that it comes through good, hard ground. It's likely that it
isn't far back to one of the little prairies which I've heard are common
in this part of Louisiana, and in a wild country like this where there's a
prairie there's pretty likely to be deer."

The logic seemed good to Paul. At any rate he was willing enough to go on
a hunt, stretch his legs, and see a new region. Sayi