“Mine is coming too!” returned Harry, and worked away with renewed energy. Although they would not have admitted it, each youth was highly excited over the prospect of winning the novel race.
Harmony had come to the spring to get a bucket of water, and now, seeing the tops of the two tall trees quivering, she called Cora and Mrs. Parsons to come out and see the sight.
“They are coming,” she announced. “And I believe both are coming together.”
“I believe Harry’s is coming first,” said Cora, after a keen glance at each shivering tree.
“Boys! boys!” called Mrs. Parsons from the doorway of the cabin. “Be careful when they come down!”
Neither of the youths heard the warning, for each was chopping away madly. Then of a sudden a chip flew up and hit Harry in the eye.
“Oh!” he cried. “Oh, I’m hit!”
“Where?” demanded Joe, and looked toward his chum.
At that moment each tree began to come down with a mighty crack and a crash. Harry, holding his hand to his scratched eye, managed to leap out of the way of danger. But Joe, looking toward the other tree, was taken for the moment off his guard.
“Joe! Joe! jump!” screamed Harmony. “The tree is coming down on your head!”