Thad could fall back upon his experience as a carpenter, and if he could get employment now and then might bring in enough of the needful to supply them with the necessities of life. Maurice on his part would only too willingly have done anything in his line if he could find a chance. He was a pretty fair bookkeeper, but it did not seem likely that he would run across any one in this part of the country who wanted his books balanced. Still both of them began to be on the lookout for opportunities, determined to do whatever their hand came in contact with. It was at Gibson's Landing that Thad struck his first chance. Things were getting rather low, and they had not enjoyed a cup of coffee for two days, on account of a lack of supplies or the wherewithal to purchase the same. Maurice was cleaning some fish they had taken that day when he saw Thad coming at an unusually swift pace, and a look on his face that spoke volumes. "And now what!?" he demanded, as his partner sprang aboard. "Bully news--I've struck a job. Last a week or so, and give us enough cash to carry us through with careful nursing. And that ain't the whole of it, either," was the way he broke loose. "It's good as far as you've gone; now what else can there be to make you feel so fine!" demanded Maurice. "Mr. Simon Buckley--" "Who's Mr. Simon Buckley?" "Why, I was just going to tell you--he's a rich planter back here a bit. I happened to mention the fact that I was a carpenter looking for a job and he jumped on to me and said he was looking for just such a man." "Hurrah!" broke in the other, his face full of smiles. "Then we got to talking," Thad continued, "and I told him all about what we were trying to do, and he seemed interested and asked questions, principally about you. What d'ye think; he knows your Uncle Ambrose; why once, many years ago they were together in Cuba? And he wants both of us to come with him tomorrow when he starts back to his home; because he says he's got his books in a terrible muss, and would be mighty glad to have you straighten 'em out; and what d'ye think of all that, eh!" Maurice smiled at his enthusiasm, but was certainly feeling a bit the same way himself. "Why, all I can say is what you're so fond of shouting whenever any good luck floats our way--bully, bully, bully all around! I felt sure we'd strike something before the worst came; and as usual it was you who had to run across it. But how are we going to leave our floating home while we pay this week's visit to the plantation of Mr. Buckleyl"