ometimes
they had to pick their way along upon stones which had been placed at
regular intervals in wet places, or upon old logs that served for
bridges; and at times it required no little skill in balancing to avoid
getting a wet foot. After they had got beyond the pond, however, the
land gradually ascended, and was mostly occupied as pastures for
cattle. But they still occasionally came to a brook, flowing down from
the hills towards the pond. Most of them were so narrow, they could
easily jump over them; but in one instance they were obliged to take
off their shoes and stockings and wade across.

"Now you see why this place is called Brookdale," said Jerry, after
they had passed four or five of these little streams.

"Is that the reason, because there are so many brooks? I never thought
of that before," said Oscar.

"Yes, that's it," replied Jerry. "In the spring these brooks make
quite a show; but they get low in the summer, and generally dry up in
August, unless it's a very wet season."

"I 'm going to cut me a cane," said Oscar, taking out his knife; "I see
a real straight and handsome one in there," and he pointed to a thicket
they were approaching.

"That's nothing but birch--that won't make a good cane," replied Jerry;
"stop a minute, and I 'll find you something better."

After looking about a little, Jerry found some beeches, which he said
would make good canes. They accordingly cut two of the straightest and
handsomest.

"I mean to try an experiment with mine," said Oscar, "and see if I
can't crook the top of it. Do you know how they do it, Jerry?"

"No, I always thought they grew in that shape," replied Jerry.

"A man told me they boiled the end of the stick and then bent it," said
Oscar. "He said that was the way all the hooked canes were made. I
don't know whether he knew or not, but I mean to try it some day, and
see how it works."

"I don't believe in that," said Jerry. "It is n't very likely you can
bend such a stick as that without breaking it; just see how stiff it
is."

"I don't care, I'll try it, just to satisfy myself," replied Oscar.

Oscar was right in regard to bending wood. The hooked-top
walking-sticks are made in the way he described,--by boiling the end,
and then bending it into an arch. In boiling wood, several substances
which enter into its composition are dissolved, and others are
softened, so that it is rendered flexible.

The boys trudged slowly on their w