"But it's close.

Once in a while I can hear a burro clicking his hoofs against stones." Harry appeared two minutes later, just as the foremost burro, with Bob by its head, put in an appearance about fifty yards away.
"All ready for you, Bob," called Rutter good-humoredly.
"You gentlemen of the engineer corps are always ready," grunted the cook's helper.
A quick stop was made, Bob unloading tin plates, bowls and cups.
"Soup!" cried Rutter in high glee.

"This is fine living for buck engineers, Bob!" "There's even dessert," returned the cook's helper gravely, exposing an entire apple pie.
There was also meat, still fairly warm, as well as canned vegetables in addition to potatoes.

A pot of hot coffee finished the repast that Bob unloaded at this point.
"Everything but napkins!" chuckled Rutter, as he and the boys quickly "set table" on the ground.
"No; something else is missing," answered Tom gravely.

"Bob forgot the finger-bowls." The helper, beginning to feel that he was being "guyed," took refuge in cold indifference.
"Just stack the things up at this point when you're through," directed Bob.