A stout green stick was laid in the crotches, and a withe fastened to it to hold the Dutch oven. Leaving their work to dry in the hot sun, they cut dry hard wood in short pieces, and, going to the burn, brought from thence in a basket some hard-wood coals and brands to cook with. The object of cutting the wood fine, and procuring the charcoal, was that they might have a hot fire without much blaze that would be likely to burn their crotch pole and withe, which as a further safeguard they smeared with clay. It is evident that all this implies forethought, calculation, and practice. "Don't let us go home for bowls, plates, or spoons," said Johnnie Armstrong: "we can make 'em ourselves." "I and Jim Grant, Dan Mugford, and Johnnie Armstrong can make the spoons and plates," said Fred Stiefel. "We can make square trenchers good enough out of a chip," said Archie; "but we can't bowls: 'twould take all summer." "I know a better way than that," said Sam. "We don't want but one or two bowls, one big one to hold the stew; and we can make bowls and plates out of clay." "That'll be the best fun that ever was," said Archie. "I'd sooner make the dishes than eat the vittles." "I wouldn't: I'd rather do both." Part of them with axes split blocks of proper wood to make the spoons, and shaped them rudely with tomahawks, while others prepared clay for the bowls. They had been accustomed to make marbles of clay, and bake them on the hearth, though it must be confessed they frequently split into halves in baking; they had also made moulds of clay in which to run bullets, and had helped make clay mortar to plaster the chimneys. They treated this clay in the same manner, mixing sand with it. Thus they were occupied till the horn blew for dinner, at which time Archie obtained a crooked knife made to dig out bowls, spoons, and trays, having a rest for the thumb. During meal-time the boys were much questioned by the girls; but they preserved a dignified silence, looking unutterable things, and saying, as they left home, that, if the girls presumed to come peeking and prying round, they shouldn't go with them, not one inch. Fred Stiefel was master workman of the spoon business; and while his gang were seated in the shade, manufacturing those utensils, Sam and his fellow-potters began the making of earthen-ware.