“Another bit of woodcraft for my knowledge box. Useful elsewhere, too. Wish I could get through this country as fast as Pierre does. But he’ll have to wait for me, anyway.”
For a time Adrian could easily trace the route of his guide by the bruises the canoe had given the leaves and undergrowth; but after a while the forest grew more open and this trail was lost. Then he stopped to consider. He had no intention of losing himself again.
“We are aiming for the south. Good. All the big branches of these hemlocks point that way—so yonder’s my way. Queer, too, how mossy the tree trunks are on the north side. I’ve heard that you could drop an Indian anywhere, in any forest, and he’d travel to either point of the compass he desired with nothing to guide him but his instinct. Wish I was an Indian! Wish, rather, I had my own compass and good outfit that went over in my canoe. Hurrah! There’s a glimmer of water. That’s the thoroughfare. Now a dash for it!”
Adrian was proud of his new skill in finding his way through a trackless forest, but, though he duly reached the stream, he could not for a time see anything of Pierre. He did not wish to shout, lest the moose might be near and take fright, but at last he did give a faint halloo, and an answer came at once. Then a boat shot out from behind a clump of alders and made down the river toward him.
The current was swift and strong, and there was considerable poling to be done before it touched the shore and Pierre stepped out.
“I’ve been looking round. This is as good a place to camp to-night as we’ll find. Leave the things here, and might as well get ready now. Then we can stay out all day and come back when we like.”
“But I thought we were to go on up thoroughfare. Why stop here at all? Other camping places are easy to find.”
“Are they? Ask a few more questions. Good many things go to making right sort of camp. Dry ground, good water to drink, firewood, poles—Oh! shucks! If you don’t know, keep still and learn.”
This was excellent advice, and Adrian was tired. He decided to trust to the other lad’s common sense and larger experience, and, having so decided, calmly stretched himself out upon the level bank of the stream and went to sleep.
Pierre’s temper rose still higher, and after he had endured the sight of Adrian’s indolence as long as possible he stepped to the river and dipped a bucket of water. Then he returned and quietly dashed it over the drowsy lad. The effect was all that Pierre desired.