CHAPTER VI.
SURPRISED.
The baked corn and mussels made a savory dish, or one which would have been savory enough but for the absence of salt.

The boys knew well enough that salt was not to be had, however, and so they made a joke of its absence, and even pretended that they did not like their food salted at any time.

Little Judie was so hungry that she cared very little whether food tasted well or not, provided it satisfied her appetite.
The rest and the more wholesome food seemed to restore Sam to something like his customary strength during the first ten days of his stay in the "root fortress," as he had named their singular dwelling.

His wounded foot got better, though it was still far from well, and, better than all, his fever left him.

As he regained strength he began to lay plans again.