“He’ll be mad as a bear with a sore head,” Bob declared, as they trudged along over the snow which was now so well packed that the broad shoes hardly made any impression. “Be mighty careful what you say,” he cautioned. “You know what he is when his dander is up, and it’ll be up a plenty when he learns that we’ve got that deed and all the timber he has cut on the tract will have to be turned over to Father.”
Soon they could hear the sound of axes ringing through the stillness of the forest, interspersed with the shouts and laughter of the men as they sang and joked at their work.
“They seem to be in mighty good spirits all right,” Jack declared, as they came in sight of the cutting.
For a moment they stood watching the scene to see if they could locate Big Ben.
“There he is over there by that big tree to the left,” Jack whispered.
“All right, come on and we’ll get it over as soon as possible. But remember what I said and let me do the talking.”
Big Ben was busy talking with one of his men as the boys approached, and at first failed to notice them. They waited until he looked up and saw them.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Donahue,” Bob greeted him pleasantly.
For an instant a look of anger flashed into the big man’s face, but he quickly controlled himself and forcing a smile said:
“Hello boys. Been takin’ a walk?”