There was business enough on hand now for all our boys. The little end building was entered upon in earnest, and soon converted into quite a respectable-looking store, except as to size; in that respect it had not much to boast of. Sam labored with as much interest as either of them; and as they were all too busy to converse much while the store was in preparation, it was not until the evening of the second day after their return, that they could get a chance for talking. As the weather was too cold now to meet under their favorite tree, it was concluded, for the future, to make the store their rendezvous. 'I tell you what, Sam, who would ever have thought of this six months ago? It is a regular store--ain't it? There are the shelves and the counter, and the barrels, and the canisters, and the scales, just as Grizzle has them, and a great deal nicer. But that little desk which Jim has fitted up so snug in the corner there behind the counter--that must be some city style. I never saw such a thing round here--did you?' 'No; but it looks well--don't it? and that green cloth on it. Jim means to have everything snug here--don't he?' Ned did not reply, for Jim entered just then, and looking round with a smile, took his seat opposite to them. 'Now, Jim, tell us all about your trip, and what you saw, and how you managed, and where you bought the things, and all about it.' 'Oh, Ned; I cannot tell you half that I witnessed in that great city. You must go there yourself one of these days; it is a great place, and every one is busy, and all seem to be in a hurry to get along, as though they had something to do that must be done at once. It was as much as _I_ could do to get through the streets; but the gentleman to whom Major Morris introduced me, treated me very kindly, and told me how we must manage: said he, "You will find that the people in your place have got very little money (which you know, boys, is true), and if they can only buy for money, you will be able to sell very little. Now you must do this: you must offer to take from them any thing they have for sale--butter, eggs, yarn, wood--no matter what, in payment for whatever they want to buy of you."' 'We should be in a fine fix then, Jim; what should we do with all the stuff--they would only take a small part at the fort, you know.' 'Just wait, Ned, and you shall hear. "All these things," said he, "are wanted in the city, and are as good here as money. As soon as you get a supply of this kind of produce, load up your vessel and bring it to me; I will either take it of you or dispose of it. You can get more for it here than it is worth with you, and so you can make a profit both ways."' 'Oh, Sam, did you ever hear the like?'