ROBERT'S CLEARING. 69

“I don’t believe it will burn,” said Lucy ; “ it
is all green leaves.”

“Tt will burn,” said Robert, “if I could only
get it well on fire. The trouble is, to set it
a-going.”

So saying, he and Lucy went.up to look at the
great heap of branches which he had made in the
middle of his clearing. Robert said that, if he
could find some good dry wood somewhere to begin
it with, it would make a noble fire; and he also
said that he meant to have brought some fire that
mbming, but he forgot it. Finally, he said that,
if Lucy and Eben would go and get some fire, he
would find some good dry wood, and they would
have a burning.

Lucy was at first afraid to attempt to bring
any fire ; but Robert told her that Comfort would
give her a lantern, so that it could be brought
without any difficulty.or danger. Then she was
afraid that she should not be able to find her way.
But Robert said that Eben knew the way ; and
so, at last, after much hesitation, Lucy concluded
to go. Accordingly, Robert went over, across the
brook, to the side of the hill, which was covered
with large trees, to see if he could find some old
dry ‘log or stump, which he could cut to pieces,
and use to kindle his fire. He found one with-