Avery seemed doubtful.
“A whole line of ’em strung along the river. Then they stopped. Seein’ they was plenty of logs stranded, I clumb across, and sure as shootin’, on the other side they commenced ag’in with N. M. & Q. stamped on every ding one of ’em.”
“Jim’s a-tellin’ me them surveyor fellers marked out a new line fur the railrud, crossin’ the Branch about five mile below here tow’ds the Knoll!”
David contained his surprise. “Is that so?” he answered easily.
“Sure as hens ’ll squawk,” said Cameron.
“You’re sure it isn’t an old survey?”
“They’re fresher than them,” he replied, kicking a survey stake at his feet.
Ross glanced at Avery, but the old man’s gaze was fixed on Cameron’s face.
“Why’d you tell me about it, Jim?” he asked abruptly.
Cameron shuffled his feet in the shingle, and pensively bit a chew from his plug. He busied himself adjusting the tobacco satisfactorily, evidently preparing for a long siege.