Bill, the second raftsman, a stolid, silent man, at once swung his axe upon a log of driftwood.

Mr.Wells and Jim walked to and fro under the birches, and Kate and Nell sat on the grass watching with great interest the old helmsman as he came up from the river, his brown hands and face shining from the scrubbing he had given them.

Soon he had a fire cheerfully blazing, and after laying out the few utensils, he addressed himself to Joe: "I'll tell ye right here, lad, good venison kin be spoiled by bad cuttin' and cookin'.

You're slicin' it too thick.

See--thar! Now salt good, an' keep outen the flame; on the red coals is best." With a sharpened stick Jeff held the thin slices over the fire for a few moments.