The two friends, after sitting about their campfire until a late hour that night discussing the subject that had taken strong hold of Hippy's mind, lay down to sleep in the open.
Immediately after breakfast next morning Tom and Hippy started out to make a thorough "cruise" of the pine trees in the section from which a few acres of logs had been cut. They finished their work late in the afternoon, but Tom did not venture a further opinion on what he had seen until they were on their way to their camp, where they had decided to remain another night.
"Well?" demanded Hippy finally. "Speak up! How about it, Tom?"
"Hippy, you have looked upon the finest plot of virgin timber to be found anywhere outside the states of Oregon and Washington. I wish someone would buy it and beat those pirates out. It is a burning shame to let them get away with it."
"Where would one have to go to find out about it?"
"St. Paul, possibly. Why?"
"I was just wondering, that's all," answered Lieutenant Wingate thoughtfully.
Hippy asked who owned the timber adjoining the section, but Tom did not know that any individual owned it because the map showed that it was still a part of the state forest reserve.
"You see these maps were issued some months ago, and many changes may have taken place in that time, though they are really supposed to be up to date."
"Is Willy likely to be up here to-day, Tom?"