e limbs and branches for firewood."

"That's an idea!" said Rufe, rubbing his forehead and walking quickly
about. "But how are we going to turn our tree-trunks into pump-logs? We
have no tools for boring and jointing."

"No, and it would cost a good deal to get them. You want an iron rod, or
auger-shaft, long enough to bore half-way through your longest log; then
a bit,--an inch bore would be large enough, but I suppose it would be
just as easy, perhaps easier, to make a two-inch bore,--the auger would
be more apt to get clogged and cramped in a smaller hole; then a reamer
and a circular joint-plane, to make your joints,--the taper end of one
log is to be fitted into the bore of the next, you know. You will also
need some apparatus for holding your log and directing the rod, so that
you sha'n't bore out, but make your holes meet in the middle, when you
bore from both ends; and I don't know what else. I've watched men boring
logs, but I don't remember all the particulars about it."

"You seem to remember a good deal," said Wad. "And I like the idea of a
stream from this spring running in our back-room,--think of it, Rufe!
But it _can't be did_,--as the elephant said when he tried to climb a
tree. No tools, no money to buy or hire 'em, or to hire the work done."

"You boys can do a good deal of the work yourselves," said Jack. "You
can cut the logs, and get them all ready for boring. Then you can get
the pump-maker at the Mills to come over with his tools and help you
bore them by hand; or you can haul your logs to him, and have them bored
by machinery,--he has a tread-mill, and a horse to turn it. In either
case, I've no doubt you could pay for his labor by furnishing logs for
his pumps."

"I believe we can!" said Rufe, by this time quite warmed up to the
subject. "But how about laying the logs? They have to be put pretty deep
into the ground, don't they?"

"Deep enough so that the water in them won't freeze. A trench four feet
deep will answer."

"How wide?"

"Just wide enough for a man to get into it and lay the logs and drive
the joints together. And, by the way, you'd better be sure that there
are no leaks, and that the water comes through all right, before you
cover your logs."

"But there's work in digging such a trench as that!" said Wad, shaking
his head.

"So there is work in everything useful that is ever accomplished. Often
the more work, the greater the satisfaction in the end. But you boys
have