Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/177

 a cedar post, surrounded by small rocks, while in a thirty foot circle the trees had been blazed.

“The section line runs north and we should find a cedar post every one-fourth mile,” said Bub, as Abner plunged into the tangle. “Each post is blazed, of course and it is easy work making the trip around the second, outside the work of walking.”

“It’s easy work when the line is marked as it was run,” grumbled Abner. “But if the posts have been shifted, or the monuments destroyed ye sometimes find yerself in court with a lawsuit going ag’in ye.”

But no such drawback was encountered on this cant and after a weary tramp Abner said he was prepared to “make stands.”

“Make stands,” muttered Stanley, casting his eyes about. “Where are your tools? And what would you do with the stands after you’ve made them?”

“You’re the only one of your kind, Stan,” screamed Bub, dropping on a lichen-covered rock the better to indulge in mirth.

“But that’s what he said,” remonstrated Stanley, gazing after Abner, who was striding away with long methodical steps.

“Let’s follow him and see how his carpenter work progresses,” snickered Bub, rising.