nches. As soon as one side was thoroughly cooked
the other was turned under, and after this same fashion the four were
most speedily and thoroughly prepared for the palate.

"Luxurious!" exclaimed Howard, as he took his prize and buried his teeth
in its flesh. "It is cooked to perfection--a trifle of pepper and salt
would make this the best dish I ever tasted."

"I never enjoyed a meal more," replied Elwood. "But when I come to
think, the first one I tasted in California was nearly as good as this."

Tim was too much engaged to take time for conversation. He waited until
he had filled himself to repletion, when he gave a great sigh of relief
and remarked:

"I ain't hungry--not a bit; I've lost me appetite very quickly. Mr.
Shasta, you're an excellent cook--worthy of the honor of attending to
the wants of Timothy O'Rooney, Esquire."

The Pah Utah paid no heed to this praise, but contented himself with
devouring his fish, which he did until he had all that he wished, when
from some hidden recess he produced a beautifully carved Indian pipe.

"There I'm wid yees agin," remarked Tim, as he replenished his own. "The
pipe is very soothin' to one's faalings after sevare labor, as me
brother's wife used to say after whacking a few hours wid her
broomstick--what is your opinion upon the same, Mr. Shasta?"

The Indian nodded his head and murmured some unintelligible reply.

"Precisely," assented Tim, as he puffed forth a thick volume of smoke;
"that's me own idaas exactly, and the boys here will bear me witness
that I've always contended for the same."

"What's that?" asked Elwood.

"Ax him," replied Tin, nodding his head toward his dusky friend. "He's
able to explain better nor is meself."

CHAPTER XXIX.

A NIGHT DISTURBANCE.

Neither the Pah Utah nor the Irishman were disposed to make a move until
they had finished their "smoke," and both of them whiffed as leisurely
as though they had contracted to spend several hours thus. Howard and
Elwood passed the time in walking around the woods and along the stream,
taking particular care not to go beyond sight of Shasta, whose black
orbs they could see attentively following their movements.

"All aboord!" shouted Tim at the expiration of an hour or so, and the
boys hurried down to the "wharf" with as much alacrity as if they had
heard the last bell of the steamer.

The Indian stood upon the shore with a look of inquiry. He pointed up
stream and then down.

"