reason
why I ought to go around pulling a long face and whimpering, especially
since no milk has been spilled after all."

"But, sure, it was the ould coat as I saw go over!" ejaculated Jimmy,
stubbornly.

"I guess it must have been, because I just can't find the same
anywhere," admitted the other, nodding.

"And ye put that packet in the inside pocket, beca'se I saw ye," Jimmy
went on.

"Yes, I did," Jack chuckled; "but then none of you saw me take it out
again later and stow it in another place. You see, I seemed to have an
idea my coat might get lost, because half the time I have it off."

"Then the packet is,--where?" asked George, brightening up.

"Down in the bottom of my fishing tackle box at this very minute, and
not in the stomach of a Watchapreague shark!" declared Jack,
confidently.

"Hurrah! Count another for our wise ould chum, Jack. He's got the
long head, so he has. Let's have a squint at the documint again, now.
'Twould be good for sore eyes to glimpse the same!" Jimmy declared,
enthusiastically.

So Jack had to get out his fishing tackle box, and, dipping down into
its depths, produce the valuable packet.

After that, preparations for supper were allowed to go on apace. As
for the missing coat, Jack declared that it did not amount to much,
anyhow, as he had another handy. And besides, with a sweater to fall
back upon in case of cold occasions, he had no regrets.

"I wonder will we really find this party, when we get around Beaufort?"
Herb remarked, as they sat there, watching Josh wrestle with the broken
crackers which, with the large pan of oysters, were to form the mess
which, cooked as best they could over the red coals of the fire, would
form the main part of the meal.

"We will, if anybody can," replied Jack, with determination in his
manner.

"You just bet we will," affirmed Nick, showing unexpected interest in
the idea.

The fact was, despite the many raw oysters he had swallowed, Nick was
almost famished, and was trying the best he knew how to keep his
attention from the slow preparations being made for supper.

But all in good time the meal was pronounced ready. Josh, in lieu of
an oven in which to bake his scalloped oysters, had kept the pan on the
fire, with a cover over the top; and really it had been pretty well
browned.

They pronounced it simply delicious. Nick softened toward his ancient
tormentor, Josh, and, patting him on the back, declared that when it
c