"Oh, I guess not," laughed his chum, holding up the gun in a suggestive way; "at least not as long as we could defend our property with this bully old shooter. But better make up your mind it was a log, and let it go at that." "Wish I could," grumbled Thad, shaking that stubborn head: of his. "Well, how about that trapping expedition--plenty of steel in sight, and a nice fat young ringtail would be just the boss dish tomorrow. Anything doing?" So Thad once more consented to drop the engrossing subject of old The Badgeley's treasure-trove, and pay attention to the matter of supplying their scanty larder with meat. "Nothing to hinder my setting the whole outfit on the bank yonder, is there?" he demanded, entering the lighted cabin again, and thinking how snug it seemed after a short time on the cold deck. "I don't reckon there is, Chum Thad. If one 'possum is good, two ought to some better, and as for three, oh! my!" and he smacked his lips as if in joy over the prospect of a feast. Accordingly Thad carried out his plan. With some dripping from fried bacon he greased each trap until the jaws worked readily. Then he went ashore in the little tender, bearing the lantern in order to make sure of his work. Maurice sat there and watched the shore. There was no reason why he should fondle his gun all the while, but he persisted in doing so; which might be taken as an indication that the words of his companion had made a deeper impression on the scoffer than he would admit. In half an hour Thad came aboard again, with cold fingers, but a satisfied air. "It's only a question of how many," he observed, as he once more fastened the dinghy with the chain and lock. "All right then. I'm going to make up my mouth for fat pig tomorrow, and look out for squalls if you disappoint me," and Maurice, as he spoke, led the way inside. Thad was very particular how he saw to the fastenings of the door, an operation his chum watched with many a chuckle. "Say, if he has as poor luck opening doors as some people I know, he never would get in here without arousing the dead; get that, Thad?" "Well, you never can tell about doors. Just when you want them to open smart like, they won't budge. Then, when you'd like the pesky old thing to hang fire she slides open just like the track was greased with mutton tallow. I'm one of the kind that likes to make sure!" "Oh! I reckon you are right. Anyhow, we used to write in school that it's no use locking the stable door after the horse is stolen. But looky here, do you know it's turning-in time--ten o'clock as near as I can tell. Me for the bunk, right quick!" Thad sat there for some little time after his chum had crawled into his comfortable, if cramped nest.