boys landed and dragged the canoes partly out on the grassy slope.

"The tent is the first thing," said Ned, as he lifted the big roll of
canvas from the cockpit of the Pioneer, where it had served as an
admirable seat.

Randy unlashed the poles from the fore deck of his canoe, and joined
them together.

This was a clever invention of Ned's. Each pole was in two parts, and
could be put together like the joints of a fishing rod. The ferrule of
the ridge pole, which had to endure the most pressure, was longer and
stouter than the others. The poles were very light but strong, and the
entire six pieces made no perceptible burden when lashed on a canoe.

Five minutes sufficed to raise the tent, and drive the iron stakes at
the four corners. Then what articles would likely be needed were taken
from the canoes and carried inside.

Ned hunted up two large stones, and placed them a foot apart. He laid
four iron rods across them, and proceeded to build a fire underneath.

"That's the best cooking arrangement ever invented," he said. "We used
it altogether on the Susquehanna last summer. If I prepare the supper
you fellows must do the rest. Clay, you clean those fish. Bring me the
salt, pepper and lard, Randy, and then peel some potatoes."

"Can I assist in any way?" drawled Nugget, as he emerged from behind the
tent, where he had been slyly brushing off his clothes and shoes.

"Why, certainly," replied Clay. "Clean these fish for me, that's a good
fellow."

Nugget rapidly opened and closed his mouth two or three times.
"I--I--really--I'm afraid--" he stammered.

"Let him alone, Clay," cried Ned sharply. "Clean the fish yourself.
Suppose you set the table, Nugget," he added kindly. "Arrange the plates
and knives and forks on some grassy level place, I mean."

While his companions were performing the duties assigned to them, Ned
went down to the stream and filled the coffee pot.

"This is spring water, as cold as ice," he exclaimed in surprise. "The
source can't be far away."

The sun was now out of sight, and it grew darker and darker as the
preparations for supper went on. Randy finished his own work, and helped
Nugget arrange the dishes on an outspread square strip of canvas. He lit
one of the lanterns and placed it in the center, and a few moments later
Ned made the welcome announcement that supper was ready.

The coffee pot and the pans of fried fish and potatoes were gingerly
carried over, and then the boys se