Near the middle of the cabin a hole about four feet square, had been dug, and in this a fire was burning brightly; and a hole in the roof, directly over it, did duty both as chimney and window.

On the floor, near the fire—­or, rather, there was no floor, the ground serving for that purpose—­stood some tin dishes, which one of the boys had just brought to light from a corner of the cabin, four plates, as many knives and forks, two large platters, a coffee-pot, four quart-cups, and a pan containing some trout, which George had caught in the brook, all cleaned and ready for the spit, and there was also a large plate of bread and butter.

Frank, who always acted as cook on these expeditions, and knew how to get up a dinner that would tempt an epicure, was kneeling before the fire, engaged in skinning some squirrels which Brave had treed for him.

George was in front of the cabin, chopping wood; and close by the door lay five ’coons—­the fruits of the morning’s hunt; and near them lay the dogs, fast asleep.

Such was the scene presented when Harry and Archie burst in upon the camp.  The latter was greeted with a loud laugh.

“Well, boys,” said he, as he threw his ’coon down with the others, “you may laugh, but I wish some of you were obliged to go through what I did.  I was bound to have the ’coon, if I had to follow him clear to Moosehead Lake.”

“That’s the way to talk,” said Frank.  “Now, throw yourself down by the fire, and I’ll soon be ready to give you something to eat.  A cup or two of hot coffee will set you all right again.”

Archie’s ducking and his long walk in his wet clothes had chilled him completely through, and he was very willing to comply with his cousin’s suggestion, and he drew up as close as possible to the fire.

When Frank had finished skinning the squirrels, he stuck them up before the fire, on spits, to roast.  The trout he served in the same manner; and, raking out a few live coals from the fire, he placed the coffee-pot upon them, when the work of getting breakfast began in earnest.

In the course of half an hour the impatience of the hungry hunters (whose appetites had been sharpened by the savory smell of the cooking viands) was relieved by Frank’s welcome invitation—­

“Now, boys, you may help yourselves.”

And they did help themselves most bountifully.

Archie kept his place by the fire, and a plate filled with bread and butter, and roasted squirrel and trout, and a cup of coffee, were passed over to him; and, supporting himself on one elbow, he did them ample justice.

The dogs were well supplied with what remained of the breakfast; and, after washing the dishes in the clear water of the brook, and placing them carefully away for future use, the boys seated themselves around the fire, and Harry exclaimed, as he settled himself back into a comfortable position,