Page:Castlemon--Joe Wayring at Home.djvu/306

 thing about it. You see, Uncle Joe Wayring owns large tracks of timber land in Maine and Michigan. He wants to see them both, for he has learned that thieves are at work in both places; but he hasn't yet made up his mind which he wants to see the more. When he does he will tell Joe, and then we shall find out where we are going."

There were a good many other questions that I wanted to ask my communicative friend, but before I could speak again a merry whistle sounded in the hall below, and somebody ascended the stairs three at a time. Then I knew that my master had finished his sail on the lake, and was coming up to his room to get ready for supper. He threw the door open with a bang, school-boy fashion, and walking straight up to me took me from my case and gave me a good looking over. He seemed as delighted as a youngster with his first pair of red top boots; but I was somwhat [sic] chagrined to learn that he did not have a very exalted opinion of my capabilities.

"That's a very fine rod, no doubt; but I expect to break him into a dozen pieces before