Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/79

 seemed to call him in every murmur of the scattered pines near the edge of the settlement. He had yet to learn that these solitary monarchs were left undisturbed because they were already doomed by “red rot,” or cancer, and were unfit for lumber. He only knew the gentle song sung by their boughs was pleading with him to penetrate the fastness of the big woods and seldom-visited streams and lakes.

“If I only knew a little of what Bub knows,” he regretted. This in itself was a goodly sign, for by temperament Stanley was inclined to be overbearing.

Then the bell summoned him to breakfast. He ate scarcely anything, but did not know that Abner had observed his lack of appetite and had applauded it. Nor did he attempt to engage the cruiser in conversation, being now convinced that all entreaty would be useless. As a result he entered upon his dreary task sore at heart and oblivious of all about him.

“Say, Rusty,” broke in White, the boss, “could you find it convenient to wake up and do as told?”

“I beg pardon, Mr. White, I fear my poor wits were wool-gathering,” confessed Stanley.

“All right; you’re honest, anyway,” chuckled White. “Run down to the mill and ask