“Going to work in the logging camp?”
“No.”
“Then what did you come to this neck of the woods for?”
“To take up a homestead,” smiled Ted.
At this statement the agent again burst into a roar of laughter, slapping his thighs and repeating, “Come to Chikau for a homestead,” until his actions nettled Phil and he demanded:
“What’s so funny about that?”
“Nothing—only there isn’t an acre within twenty miles of Chikau that isn’t covered with trees.”
At this announcement the boys looked at one another in dismay.
“Wish we’d got off at Avon with Mr. Hopkins,” sighed Phil.
“What Hopkins?” asked the man, eagerly.