Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/69

 Bub grinned. “Wrong again. On a calm day they scatter in all directions and if the lake is a big one it ain’t hardly worth while to pick ’em up. On a windy day they drive ashore in a bunch and are sure to fetch up somewhere. On a calm day there seems to be an undertow, and it’s amazing how quickly they’ll scatter in all directions.”

“I admit I’m ignorant,” said Stanley; “but that’s all the more reason why I should go with you and have you tell me things. I can’t keep asking the men here as the most of them will only swear at me.”

Bub pursed up his lips thoughtfully. “It would be lots of fun to have you along and I’m willing to ask Abner. We’ll find him now; only, don’t git your hopes up. You stand about as much chance as you would to git Hatton’s job. We’ve got to travel fast, cruise several cants along Mt. Jim, besides obeying important orders which I ain’t found out about as yet.”

Stanley moved to the door. “Let’s waste no time in finding him. I’ll work for my board.”

“If you offer to do that he wouldn’t take you,” smiled Bub. “And again, we must wait till he’s had his supper. He’d refuse anything before he’s had his meal. Abner is the greatest man for thinking about his food that you