162 T'HE BED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. 
baked. Eobert was in favor of roasting or broiling on a 
spit, Indian fashion. 
Joe came back from a short excursion into the forest, 
with both hands full of what appeared to be small green 
bulbs. 
Teddy, as chief cook, gave the vegetables a dignified 
snilf. Then his features expanded with delight. 
Hooray ! " he shouted. " Sure, it's ingyuns ye have ! " 
Onions they were — small, to be sure, at this season, 
but with the " rale tang to 'em," as Teddy announced. 
Jim had taken the Ballard with him, and now joined 
the campers, throwing down at their feet as he did so a 
fine ptarmigan, such as abound in south central Alaska, 
and the adjoining province. 
Shtuffin' fer the bur-rd ! " ejaculated Ted, feasting his 
eyes on the suddenly accumulated stock of provisions, in 
anticipation of the morrow's breakfast. 
Where is Nat ?" suddenly asked Mr. Button, looking 
round him. 
" He climbed up those rocks just now, sir," answered 
Hugh, his whole being concentrated on the slice of salmon 
browning odorously over the blaze. 
Mr. Button was not satisfied, and sprang up to the 
highest point of the bluff, calling, ''Nat! Nat!" Pres- 
ently he heard an answer, just below him. 
Nat had found the big, shaggy "puppy" a hard lug, 
and nothing but real Button pluck kept him from drop- 
ping his heavy, squealing, struggling burden. 
