WITH BEAK AND CLAW 17 



shavings and twigs. The wood-box was full. It 

 was always full, for on this point the pot-hunter 

 was a martinet. He was shiftless enough himself, 

 in some ways, but Shan had to do his own share 

 of the work. 



Bull, meanwhile, was busy making the regular 

 morning corn-bread, at which he was a master 

 hand. By the time that Shan had returned with 

 the water and the shavings, the bread-batter was 

 ready. Bull lighted the stove, while the boy cut 

 off some pieces of the crudely salted meat of razor- 

 back hog and put them in the frying-pan. In a 

 few minutes, a roaring fire heated the little oven 

 and the bread began to bake. 



This same breakfast, of corn-bread with syrup, 

 fried hog-meat and coffee, Shan ate unchangingly 

 every day in the year. 



Breakfast over, Bull shaved, for with all his 

 rough manner and negligence of dress, the pot- 

 hunter was never seen with an unshaven face. 

 Meanwhile, Shan washed the dishes and swept the 

 cabin floor. One hour from the time of rising, 

 everything was done, breakfast eaten, and the 

 cabin — such as it was — put in order. The two 

 went together to the landing. 



Bull's boat, like his guns, was of the best. 



