Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/181

 foot of timber—that is, almost.” And Abner chuckled softly over Stanley’s wonderment.

“He’s trying to have some fun with you,” whispered Bub.

“I’m glad of it,” smiled Stanley. “I’m sure I’ve bothered him enough.”

“That is all past now,” warmly declared Bub. “You’re breaking in fine. The bear and the fire told rather against you, but it might have happened to any fellow. I’m positive that for the rest of the jaunt you’ll be more help than you are bother.”

“Thank you,” murmured Stanley, a bit downcast. “But I didn’t know I had been so much of a bother outside of one or two mistakes. I’ve certainly kept up with you and you’ve lost no time on account of me.”

Bub eyed him doubtfully; then frankly said, “I guess you can stand the truth, Stan. If we hadn’t been holding back for Noisy Charlie you’d been a brake on us. Why, my son, if Abner and I were in a hurry to get anywhere how long do you suppose you could keep up with us? Abner is past middle age by quite a lot, but he can walk a moose to death. You’ve picked up weight and hardened your muscles; on the loading gang you probably could give me a tight rub. But when it comes to cruising