vestigate when they heard the crashing
of the big trees and the merry sound of the axes. Great piles of balsam
boughs were dragged down from the mountain side opposite the cabin. These
were carefully trimmed before they were handed up to Ham, who was in the
bunk doing the thatching. The early afternoon saw the completion of the
fine, big bed--big enough for five people; and as the fellows became too
tired to work, the bunk became more and more popular. Every one was
anxious to try it.

A heavy hasp was spiked to its place, and the cabin was put under lock
and key for the first time. They had really taken possession of it--it
was theirs.

"It beats the Dutch how much that yard of stovepipe sticking out there
adds to her looks," observed Mr. Dean when the stove had been set up.

"It isn't the stovepipe so much," replied Chuck, "as it is the smoke
coming out of it."

"What pipe are you talking about?" inquired Sleepy as he dropped down out
of the new bunk to inspect the work the others had been doing since noon.
"Who's smoking a pipe?" he persisted, not understanding the conversation.

"The cabin," tersely remarked Chuck. "But it has to get warm before it
can smoke, and it has to work before it can get warm. The cabin might
teach you a lesson."

Later in the afternoon there was a great commotion a little distance up
the trail, and Mr. Allen hastened to investigate the shouting and sounds
of chopping. To his great disgust he found Sleepy dealing heavy blows to
an old pine tree with an ax while the perspiration was running down his
face. He was prancing about in great excitement.

"What on earth?" questioned Mr. Allen.

"I'm trying to get a squirrel. I saw him up in this tree just a moment
ago," cried Sleepy.

"Is that all you can find to do to use up your energy?" asked Mr. Allen
dryly. Sleepy looked at him sheepishly, then hung his head and slowly
returned to the cabin, brought a pail of water from the stream, then
crawled up into the bunk, out of sight.

By the time things were straightened around in the cabin so that the
mason could build the fireplace it was time to be starting home, but
every one was too tired from the day's work. They decided they would rest
in the cool shade for an hour before beginning the tramp down. It would
then be twilight.

Willis took this occasion to do a little exploring on his own account. He
had worked faithfully all day and was very tired, but he did so want to
find his fath