By the time he could finish one sandwich, Antoine would have swallowed every one on the table, and there would be nothing left but the dried meat.
"Will the small gentleman from Maine be kind enough to pass the plum-pudding--I mean the one that's got the most raisins in it ?" said Johnny, who was inclined to be facetious.
"See here, fellows!" exclaimed Archie, and the earnest expression of his countenance arrested the laughing at once.

"This is no time for joking.
The rule of this boarding-house seems to be, Look out for number one.

I intend to do it; and, if you want to get any thing to eat, you had better follow my example." So saying, he caught up three or four sandwiches, and half a dozen cakes, and started toward the spring, where he sat down to finish his dinner.

The other boys comprehended this piece of strategy, and, in less time than it takes to tell it, the table was cleared of every thing except the dried meat.

Mr.Mercedes uttered an angry growl, and gazed after Johnny, who had snatched the last sandwich almost out of his hand, and then whipped out his knife, and turned his attention to the meat.
When the robbers had finished their dinner, Pierre held a whispered consultation with one of his men, who, after placing Frank's letter carefully away in the crown of his sombrero, mounted his horse, and rode down the pass.