"Of all the mean fellers in the world that I ever see, that Joe of our'n is the beatenest," said he, as soon as he could speak. "Now, pap, wait till I tell you, and see if you don't say so yourself."
The ferryman, recalling some words that Dan let fall during their hurried interview in the cabin, told himself that he knew right where the trouble was; but he listened attentively to the story, which the angry boy related substantially as follows:
While Dan was taking his ease on the bank, and Joe was hauling in the sweeps and making the flat secure, Mr. Warren came up, arriving on the ground five or ten minutes before the commissioner and the surveying party got there.
He hitched his horse to the nearest tree, walked down the bank, and greeted Joe with a hearty good-morning, paying no attention to Dan, who was so highly enraged at this oversight or willful neglect on the part of the wealthy visitor, that he shook his fist at him as soon as he turned his back.
He was not long in finding out what brought Mr. Warren there, for he distinctly overheard every word that passed between him and Joe.
As he listened, the expression of rage that had settled on his face gradually gave place to a look of surprise and delight; and finally Dan became wonderfully good-natured, and showed it by rubbing his hands together, grinning broadly, and winking at the trees on the opposite bank of the river.
"Well, Joseph," said Mr. Warren, cheerfully, "going to school next term?"
"I am afraid I can't," replied Joe, sadly. "I don't see how I can afford it. Mother needs every cent I can give her. I must work every day, and shall be glad to cut some wood for you, if you will give me the chance."
"Then you can cut it by yourself, I bet you," muttered Dan. "I won't help you; I'd rather hunt and trap."
"I shall need a good supply of wood," said Mr. Warren, "but I thought of giving your father and Dan a chance at that."