“Just so!” said Croyden.
“But where are the beeches?” asked Axtell.
“Disappeared!” Croyden replied. “As the Point from year to year slipped into the Bay, the fierce gales, which sweep up the Chesapeake, gradually ate into the timber. It is seventy years, at least, since Parmenter’s beeches went down.”
“Why shouldn’t the Duvals have noticed the encroachment of the Bay, and made a note of it on the letter?” Macloud asked.
“Probably, because it was so gradual they did not observe it. They, likely, came to Annapolis only occasionally, and Greenberry Point seemed unchanged—always the same narrow stretch of sand, with large trees to landward.” 157
Macloud nodded. “I reckon that’s reasonable.”
“Next let us measure back eighty-five feet,” said Croyden, producing a tape-line.... “There! this is where the beech tree should stand. But where were the other trees, and where did the two lines drawn from them intersect?”...
“Yes, now you have it!” said Macloud—“where were the trees, and where did the lines intersect? I reckon you’re stumped.”
“Let us try some more assuming. You had a compass yesterday, still got it?”
Macloud drew it out and tossed it over.