Page:Augusta Seaman--Jacqueline of the carrier pigeons.djvu/291

Rh well investigate there before daylight. Again pushing off his boat, he paddled across the shallow lake that now spread over what  was ordinarily meadow-land. But Leyderdorp was also deserted. Guided by a dying camp-fire, he reached a small building which  he guessed to be the abode of General Valdez. The fire was built before the doorway, and over it was still cooking a pot of “hodge-podge” or stewed meat and vegetables. Evidently it had been intended for the breakfast of the general, but so speedy had been the retreat that it was left behind in the  hurry.

“Whew!” ejaculated Gysbert, leaning over the pot. “This smells right savory to a stomach that has had nothing to-day but  half a water-soaked loaf! Thanks, my cowardly friends! I’ll partake of your bounty before I do another thing!” Swinging the pot from its hook, and scarcely waiting for it to cool, he helped himself to a large  quantity doled out with a great iron spoon,