“Thunder! That’s so; Tommy’s got the boat. Can’t we pull up anchor and chug over to the wharf?” “I don’t want to try it,” was the reply. “We might make it all right and we might not. There are two or three small boats between here and there and I don’t want any bills for damages. Let’s see what there is in the larder.” They went down together and rummaged. “Here’s bacon,” said Nelson, “and plenty of bread.” “And potatoes,” added Dan. “And cereal, although I never tried it for luncheon.” “And jam and jelly,” said Bob, “and a can of peaches.” “And cheese,” continued Dan. “And one egg,” said Nelson. “Saved!” cried Dan. “Here’s three cans of corned-beef hash! Oh, yum, yum! Me for the corned beef!” “Oh, we’ve got plenty of stuff here,” said Nelson cheerfully. “We’ll have some boiled potatoes and hash, tea, bread, cheese, and jam. What more could we want?” “Well,” answered Dan, “far be it from me to throw cold asparagus on your menu, Nel, but it does seem that a tiny pat of butter would help a little, now doesn’t it?” “Remember what Tom told you about your complexion,” said Nelson severely. “I wonder if he’ll find any luncheon?” said Dan. “Maybe he’s more concerned just now with breakfast,” said Bob. “As far as we know he hasn’t had that yet!” “Poor old Tommikins,” muttered Dan. “And he so fond of eating, too! I really believe that if Tommy missed two meals in succession he’d die of starvation.” “Well, let’s get busy,” said Nelson. “We’ll help you, Bob.” “All right; there’s the potatoes and here’s the knife. Peel them thin, now. By the way, how would they taste fried?” “Oh, great!” cried Dan, smacking his lips. “Say, I believe this old fog makes a fellow hungrier than anything else!” “Fried it is, then,” answered Bob. “There’s plenty of lard. Find the can opener, Dan, and yank the lid off of one of those cans of hash.” “We never got a can opener!” exclaimed Nelson. “I forgot all about it. Use the old potato knife, Dan.” “All right. Say, this is great fun, isn’t it? _Wow!_” “Cut yourself?” asked Nelson. “Oh, not much. Next time I see a store I’m going to buy an opener if it costs ten cents! _Thunder!_” The can slipped out of his hands and went skimming across the oilcloth floor. Luckily the top was only half off and very little of the contents was spilled. Dan rescued it, seated himself on the steps and, placing it firmly between his knees, sawed away at the tin. “There you are!” he said triumphantly. “It smells mighty good, too! Hurry up, Nel, with those potatoes, or I’ll perish before your very eyes.” “Where’s the lard?” asked Bob. “Tommy said there was lots of it. Look in the ice box, Bob.” “Here it is: ‘Leaf Lard,’ whatever that is.” “Got any water on for tea, Bob?” asked Nelson. “No, put some in the kettle, will you? I’ll cut these potatoes up, what you’ve left of them; I rather think we’d get more if I fried the skins!” “Oh, you run away and play,” answered Nelson. “They’re peeled to the Queen’s taste.”