As they were gathering up their tools to go, Duncan said: "There's a big hollow tree somewhere mighty close here that I've been wanting for a watering-trough for my stock; the one I have is so small.

The Portland company cut this for elm butts last year, and it's six feet diameter and hollow for forty feet.

It was a buster! While the men are here and there is an empty wagon, why mightn't I load it on and tak' it up to the barn as we pass ?" McLean said he was very willing, ordered the driver to break line and load the log, detailing men to assist.

He told Freckles to ride on a section of the maple with him, but now the boy asked to enter the swamp with Duncan.
"I don't see why you want to go," said McLean.

"I have no business to let you out today at all." "It's me chickens," whispered Freckles in distress.