on either side. Producing from
the bag behind his saddle a hatchet, he went forward, cutting down the
brush where it blocked his straight course. When some hundred yards
away, he cried to the master to come on, it was all right. On joining
him Jabez pointed to a scar made in the bark of a maple. 'That is the
surveyor's blaze, made five years ago. I was in doubts where to find it,
for the weather has blackened it. We are all right now, and will find
another farther on.' So they did, several more, though they were so
faint only the trained eye of Jabez could detect them. As he came to
each tree, he used the hatchet to make a fresh blaze, while any branch
that obstructed the view between the blazed trees was lopped off.
Suddenly it grew lighter: they were again in the sunshine and before
them was a sheet of water. It was too small to be called a lake; it was
just a pond, set in the heart of the woods. The master was greatly taken
with it and leaning over a log drank heartily, for the water was clear
and sweet, though warm. 'We may as well rest and take our bite here,'
remarked Jabez, producing from the pouch slung at his back some
soldiers' hard tack, with thin sliced pork between instead of butter. He
explained it was hard to tell the quality of the soil in the woods, and
many were deceived, especially as regards stones. The forest litter
covers them, and it is only when the plow is started that the settler
finds he has a lot that will give him many a tired back in trying to get
rid of the worst of them. When you find big trees, maple or any other
kind of hard wood, it is a sure sign the soil is rich, but if the trees
are scrub or of soft wood it is certain to be poor. Pine is not to be
relied on as indicating good land for the settler. The tallest and
finest pines are often on the top of stony ridges. Starting anew, they
came to the streamlet that fed the pond and a short tramp beyond it
Jabez spied another surveyor's stake. 'This is the western limit of
Bambray's lot; between the two stakes he has 400 acres.' He asked the
master if he wanted to cross the lot lengthways and see the two ends,
but he saw no need, for so far as he could judge the land was all of the
same quality. 'Supposing I buy the lot, how am I to get into it?' 'You
will have to continue the bridle-path to where you place your house, and
that is enough for an ox-sledge.' 'That means some work?' 'Yes,' replied
Jabez smiling 'there is nothing to be had in th