Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/414

 done. Ye’ll git yer report without a penny.”

“Stop! stop! Will you stop? Silence, sir,” roared Thaxter. Then very mildly, “Abner, I’m beginning to like you. I’m not in the habit of making presents to men who simply do their duty. But I’m worked up over this Flat-Top ridge proposition. If you bring me news that will help me beat this man Nace I’ll give you the five thousand dollars and—how old are these other two?”

“Sixteen years apiece and growing like sin.”

“Hm. I see. Well, say, fifteen hundred each and the same to the Indian. Yes, I’ll do that.”

“Hooray!” shouted Abner. “We’ll pool the money and divide it even among Charlie, the two boys and me. Bub gits all I leave when I die, anyway. Here’s the report.”

To the amazement of the president and manager he pulled a strip of bark from the knapsack and laid it on the desk.

“What tomfoolery is this?” demanded the president, moving to hurl the bark aside.

“Hands off!” warned Abner, pouncing upon the precious exhibit. “Don’t ye know it’s a’gin the law to destroy monuments like that? Want to be another Jim Nace? That’s the