CHAPTER XIV.
"MOREHEAD—OR BUST!"
When Thad came out he found that his comrade had gone ashore, taking the ax with him.
Indeed, the sound of lusty blows told that he was already hard at work, securing a supply of the necessary fuel.
Thad shut the door of the cabin.
He would have locked it, no doubt, only that it happened Maurice had the key in his pocket just then.
So Thad shrugged his shoulders, and dragging the little ferry-boat over the twenty feet of water he pulled himself ashore.
It was easy to locate the chopper by the sounds that arose; and so he soon joined his mate, ready to spell him in the labor entailed by the necessity for fuel.
The wood burned so quickly, with a strong draught always causing the stove to roar, that large quantities of fuel were absolutely necessary.
Both boys handled an ax first-rate, and indeed, Thad could equal many an experienced woodsman in the accuracy of his strokes; while Maurice was not far behind him.