CHAPTER IX.
The Teacher and Pupil.
We now return to Walter Wallace, who we left on the banks of the Callicoon in company with Surveyor Webb and party. Webb soon discovered that Walter was a boy of more than ordinary intelligence, and that his education had not been neglected. He could read and write, and had made some advancement in arithmetic.
They returned to camp about noon and eat a hearty dinner to which Walter did ample justice, although he had eaten a late breakfast.
Webb had been pondering in his mind upon the propriety of asking Walter to become one of his party, and retain him, if possible, until the survey of the Minisink country was completed. To that end he said to Walter:
Are you willing to remain with me and learn to survey?
I am willing to do anything I can, the boy replied, but I have not got learning enough to read the figures on that thing.