Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/274

 cutting poles and gathering spruce or pine boughs.

“Why isn’t it more sensible to take a tent along?” he impatiently inquired, irritated by some remarks from Bub.

“Don’t want a tent,” grumbled Abner, still lamenting the loss of the flour. “If it had been in that canoe when we was spilled it would be soaked and heavy as lead. A tent ain’t the easiest thing in the world to pack ’round through the woods. If ye knew ye was going to be located in one spot for several weeks ye might consider it, but who wants to tote a heavy canvas when a few minutes’ work by a smart younker like yerself will build something to take the place of it?”

“Other folks must take tents with them,” replied Stanley.

“I guess not up in this region,” said Abner.

“Yes, up in this region,” persisted Stanley, his eyes gleaming in triumph as he believed he was about to get the best of the veteran.

“And why?” dryly asked Abner.

“Because if anyone built a lean-to they’d leave it standing. And here are the remains of a campfire and there’s no lean-to. That shows whoever built the fire had a tent.”