But Eli was brave, and he never flinched.
"'Tis fine, I like un wonderful fine," Eli volunteered presently, adding, "if she didn't burn so bad." "Take just a bit at a time," advised Thomas, laughing heartily, "and eat un with bread or potaters and you won't notice the burn of un." Presently Eli told of his experiences with Indian Jake, and Andy told of the tracks he had seen under the window, and all of the boys told of what had happened on the island, the theft of the boat, the tracks of the nailed boots and the discovery of the boat at Fort Pelican.
Then Eli made an announcement that again laid the burden of suspicion more strongly than ever upon Indian Jake.
"I were workin' at the lumber camps a week this summer helpin' they out," said Eli.

"Whilst I were there Indian Jake comes and trades a pair of skin boots with one of the lumber men for a pair of their boots, the kind with nails in un.

He the same as says he has the fur, and 'twere he took un." "Injun Jake wears skin boots when he come to our camp on Flat P'int," said David.
"Aye, 'tis likely," admitted Eli.

"He'd be wearin' skin boots in the canoe, whatever.

The nailed boots would be hard on the canoe.