Courier Democrat., 1904-05-19
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In the days that followed Thorpe
cruised about the great woods. 1t was
slow business. but fascinating. He
knew that when he should embark on
his attempt to enlist considerable cap
ital in an "unsight. unseen invest
ment he would have to be we'll sup
piled with statistics =.
First of all he walked over the coun-
try at large to find where the best tim
Der lay. This was matter Of tramp
ing, though often on an elevation he
succeeded in climbing a tall tree
whence he caught birdseye views Of
the country at large. He always car.
ried his gun with him and was pre-
pared ut moments notice to seem en-
gagged in hunting.
Next he ascertained the geographical
location of the different clumps and
forests, entering the sections, the quar-
ter sections, even the separate forties,
in his notebook, taking in only the de
scriptions' containing the best pine.
Finally he wrote accurate notes con-
eerning the topography Of each and
every pine district-the lay Of the land,
the hills, ravines. swamps and valleys
the distance from the river, the char
acter Of the soil. In short, he accumu-
lated all the information he could BY
which the cost Of logging might be e.
timated.
For this he had really too little ex-
perience. He knew it, but t.determined
to do his best. The weak point Of his
whole scheme lay in that It was going
to be impossible for him to allow the
prospective purchaser chance to ex-
anime the piae. That difficulty Thorpe
hoped to overcome by inspiring per-
sonal confidence in himself. If he
land locker whom the investor trusted,
and the two could re-enact the comedy
Of this summer. Thorpe hoped. how
ever, to avoid the necessity. He set
about a rough estimate Of the timber.
One evening just at sunset Thorpe
was helping the Indian shape his craft.
The two men bent there at their task,
the dull glow of evening falling upon
them. Behind them the knoll stood
out in picturesque relief against the
darker pines. The river rushed by
with a never ending roar and turmoil.
Through its shouting one perceived, as
through a mist, the still lofty peace Of
evening.
A young fellow, hardly more than a
boy, exclaimed with keen delight Of the
picturesque as his canoe shot around
the bend into sight Of it.
The canoe was large and powerful,
but we'll filed. An Indian knelt in
the stern. Amidships was well laden
with dufle Of all descriptions. The
young fellow sat in the bow. He was
bright faced, eager eyed, curly haired
young fellow, all enthusiasm and fire.
His figure was trim and clean, but
rather slender, and his movements
were quick. but nervous. When he
stepped carefully out on the fiat rock
to which his guide brought the canoe
with swirl Of the paddle one initiat-
ed would have seen that his clothes,
while strong and serviceable, had been
bought from a sporting catalogue.
"This is a good place." he said to the
guide. We'll camp here" Then he
turned up the steep bank without look
ing back.
'.Hello!" he called in cheerful, un-
embarrassed fashion to Thorpe and
Charley. GLOW are you? Care II I
camp here? What you making? By
vooaA no.
fore. I'm going to watch you. Keep
right at it."
He sat on one of the outcropping
powders and took off his hat.
"Say, you've got a great place here!
You here all summer? Hello! You've
got a deer hanging up. Are there
many Of 'em around here? I'd like to
kill deer first rate. never have. It's
sort Of out of season now, isn't it?"
1--WE only kill the bucks" replied
Thorpe.
II like fishing too" went on the boy.
"Are there any here? In the pool?
John" he called to his guide. bring me
my fishing tackle"
In a few moments he was whipping
the pool with long. graceful drops Of
the fly. He proved to be adept At
first the Indians stolid countenance
seemed tride doubtful. After q time
It cleared.
"Goodw he grunted.
The other Indian had now finished
the erection Of tent and had begun to
cook supper over a little sheet iron
camp stove. Thorpe and Charley could
smell ham.
you've got quite a pantry remark
a Thorpe.
won't you eat with meY' proflered
The boy Hospitality.
But Thorpe declined.
In the course Of the evening the boy