protected and nearly covered by a
cartilaginous substance extending entirely across the head something
after the fashion of a hood.

"I don't wonder he had to try a long while before catching this fellow,"
Teddy said with a laugh. "A fish that has such poor apologies for eyes
can't be expected to see bait very quickly."

"It isn't likely they can see anything, and if these small specks are
eyes they've probably only been put on as ornaments."

At this point Jake, regardless of the fact that he should have been
listening intently at the aperture, began what was evidently about to be
a long dissertation on the subject of a fish being able to smell while
in the water, and to prevent him from neglecting his duties as sentinel,
the boys went back to the stream, arriving there just as Cummings landed
a second prize.

At the end of an hour four fish, aggregating in weight not less than ten
pounds, were on the bank, and it was decided that no more should be
caught.

"We've got food enough to last us during twenty-four hours," Cummings
said, "and it would be a waste of time to fish any longer."

"When are we to cook them?" Teddy asked.

"That is a job which must be left for Poyor. He can do it better than
either of us, and, since there are none of the enemy in the immediate
vicinity, I fancy we may count on having these for the next meal."

Then Cummings took his turn at sleeping, after impressing on the minds
of the boys and Jake that a strict watch should be kept by all
regardless of the news brought by the Indian, and during the two hours
which followed before there was any change in the condition of affairs,
little else was done save to discuss the situation.

They talked of the loved ones at home; of the probable whereabouts of
those who had left the burning yacht in their company, and of the
chances that they would soon reach the coast, until Jake changed the
subject by saying abruptly:

"We'll soon be blind if the Indian don't find a hidin' place where the
sunlight penetrates once in awhile. I begin to feel a good deal like a
bat already, an' have a big mind to slip out for a walk."

"Don't so much as think of it," Teddy cried in alarm. "It isn't certain
that the enemy are not close by, and the risk is too great."

"I can't see it in that light," Jake replied in his old obstinate
manner. "Perhaps Poyor has had more experience in these woods than I
have; but I'll bet considerable that I can get around as wel