ning sound
came from the cook's quarters. The twins ran out to the clearing to find
the meaning of the noise, and saw one of the cook's helpers walking
about banging a wooden potato-masher furiously upon the bottom of a
brass pan. The echoes of the strokes could be heard coming from every
direction in the forest.

"What's that for?" asked Don, running over to Mose, the helper.

"I'se callin' you-alls for dinner," grinned Mose.

"Hey, Dot! come quick," called Don, turning to see if his sister was in
sight. "It's dinner time, and Mose is ringin' the bell."

Without further ado, Don went over to the shed and looked for his place
at the long table. For once he was undecided. There were two long
tables, and the places set were so exactly alike that Don was not sure
where he was supposed to sit.

"Where are all of the other men, Daddum?" asked Lavinia, seeing that
only half of the men were present.

"They have been cutting out rough roads from our timber to the river,
and have taken their dinner in pails, as it is too far for them to come
to camp and then return afterward," said Mr. Starr.

"What river, Daddum?" asked Don, quickly.

"The river down which the logs float in the spring," said Mr. Starr.

"Do you own the river?" asked Dot, wondering how much of the earth her
father possessed.

"We own the right to use it for our logging business," replied Mr.
Starr, and smiled at his little girl's disappointed look.

"Why do they cut roads, Daddum? Aren't there any ready made that you can
use?" asked Dot.

"Not in the forests, Dot. We have to break out roadways so the heavy
skidding and loading machines can go in among the trees and lift the cut
timber up and on the sledges that will cart it down to the water,"
explained Mr. Starr.

"You will soon be able to see the way it has to be done and then you
will understand better," added Mr. Latimer.

"When can we see--this afternoon?" asked Don, impatiently.

"Maybe you will have time to go with me directly after dinner," hinted
Mr. Latimer.

"Yes, yes! Of course we will, 'cause we don't begin lessons 'till
Monday, you know," exclaimed Don and Dot together.

The rice pudding was almost forgotten that day, so eager were the
children to go and see the interesting work of the men of the camp.

They trudged along the newly cut road which they had travelled over in
the morning, but, after walking for half a mile, Mr. Latimer left the
road and went along a narrow trail