“Well, filling the hole in my stomach will be real pay for this hike; enough for me, whether we get any glory or not.”
Back over their way they went to the main trail, with no delays, for Billy had blazed the way carefully.
“Use your eyes, kid,” he admonished. “There are things in the woods besides trees; and to-night we’ll have a gab to see how much six pairs of eyes have been able to discover.”
They arrived to find Hugh alone, preparing to make a fire.
“Billy, I’m glad you’ve come. Now you can watch me,—see if I work right.”
“You’re not going to try it by friction, are you? It will take too long.”
“No, it won’t. I got fire in six minutes the other day by following Mr. Seton’s directions.”
“That’s all right if you have dry wood and the right kind; but it’s been raining.”
“Just the same I’ve found some fine cedar. You watch me.”
While he drilled out the fine wood-dust Billy was busy finding dry bark fibre for tinder; and soon a tiny spark appeared, then a little glowing coal upon which they placed the bunch of fibre, fanning it with their hats till a flame answered, and soon they had a blazing fire with its cheering warmth.