Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/98

 Charlie made a sound in his throat and dug viciously with his paddle, while Abner in a voice trembling with impatience, asked “Why?”

“For two things,” replied Stanley, now confident he was answering correctly. “I’d camp where I could get a fine view of the mountains to the west and northwest and where I wouldn’t get cold from sleeping near the water.”

“By jing! if we was nearer the mills I’d go back and jump on that there saw and tell ’em to keep ye chained,” exploded Abner.

“Good!” endorsed Charlie.

“Why! what have I said now?” cried Stanley.

“What are we out here for?” rebuked Abner, resting his paddle. “Are we here for views, or timber? Why do we foller the streams? It’s because the timber has got to come down the streams. I’m surprised at ye. It don’t seem as if ye’d live long enough to yard so much ignorance.”

“Good talk,” muttered Charlie.

“We camp on streams ’cause the timber must come to the streams,” added Abner. “Try and remember that. It ain’t no good to find spruce if ye can’t git it out.”

“Then I’d camp under those birches on the