ROBERT’S CLEARING. 65

‘ Eben can’t haul logs,”-said Lucy.

“Yes he can,” said Robert ; “he’s a very good
ox ; only we want a teamster.”

“ Well,” said Lucy, “Tl go and ask my
mother.” _

Luey accordingly went in and asked her mother.
Her mother wanted to know how far it was to
the clearing; but Lucy could not tell. She then
wanted to know how long they were to be gone ;
but Lucy could not answer that question either.
Finally, her mother said that she might go and
ask Comfort if she thought that it would be safe
for her to go with the boys, and let her opinion
decide the question. ,

Comfort said there would be no danger if Lucy
was careful to keep out of the way of Robert’s
axe. So they all set off together.

They followed the lane where Lucy had seen
the cows come down the evening before, for some
distance. It led, in a winding direction, up a val-
ley, with a brook upon one side of the road.

«What a pretty brook!” said Lucy.

“Yes,” said Robert; “ that is the brook that I
am going to float down my logs upon.”

“ Your logs?” repeated Lucy.

* Yes,” replied Robert, “ the logs I get off my
clearing. I cut them down, and Eben hauls them

6* ;