“I must survey along the face of that mountain and through the gap to the north-east, and around the mountain torrent running there. That will mean rough work and dangerous climbing.”
“It would just suit me!” cried Dave. “I wish I could go along. Don’t you want some help?”
“My regular man will be with me. He is now over at Denton’s after another chain, for he lost one in the river.”
“I have been to the tops of a dozen mountains,” went on Dave. “I like climbing very well, and it never makes me the least bit dizzy.”
“That’s certainly in your favor,” said Washington, with a smile. He liked Dave’s frankness—which frankness was a good deal like Washington’s own.
Over an hour was thus spent in camp, and then with a handshake the Morrises parted company with the surveyor, who went back to his search for landmarks. Soon the camp utensils were repacked, and they were off, to the best crossing place the river, in that vicinity, afforded.
“He’s a fine young man,” was Dave’s comment, as he urged his steed forward, side by side with that of his uncle. “His face has a thoroughly good look.”
“That it has, Dave, and his tongue is as honest as his face. I do not wonder that folks like to do business with him. And he must be uncommonly clever, too, to conduct surveys of estates worth thousands of pounds.”
“I wish I could go and survey yonder mountain with him.”
“It might prove harder work than you anticipated.”