canvas.

"Boys! Guy--Yan! Oh, Guy!"

"Hello! Who is it?"

"Caleb Clark! Say, Guy, it's about half-past eleven now. You have just
about time to go to Garney's grave by midnight an' get that stone,
and if you can't find the exact spot _you listen for the groaning
_--_that'll guide you_."

This cheerful information was given in a hoarse whisper that somehow
conveyed the idea that the old man was as scared as he could be.

"I--I--I--" stammered Guy, "I can't see the way."

"This is the chance of your life, boy. You get that stone and you'll
get a _grand coup_ feather, top honours fur grit. I'll wait here
till you come back."

"I--I--can't find the blamed old thing on such a dark night.
I--I--ain't goin'."

"Errr--you're scared," whispered Caleb.

"I ain't scared, on'y what's the use of goin' when I couldn't find the
place? I'll go when it's moonlight."

"Err--anybody here brave enough to go after that stone?"

"I'll go," said the other two at the same time, though with a certain
air of "But I hope I don't have to, all the same."

"You kin have the honour, Yan," said the Woodpecker, with evident
relief.

"Of course, I'd like the chance--but--but--I don't want to push ahead
of you--you're the oldest; that wouldn't be square," was the reply.

"Guess we'd better draw straws for it."

So Sam sought a long straw while Yan stirred up the coals to a blaze.
The long straw was broken in two unequal pieces and hidden in Sam's
hand. Then after shuffling he held it toward Yan, showing only the
two tips, and said, "Longest straw takes the job." Yan knew from old
experience that a common trick was to let the shortest straw stick out
farthest, so he took the other, drew it slowly out and out--it seemed
endless. Sam opened his hand and showed that the short straw remained,
then added with evident relief: "You got it. You are the luckiest
feller I ever did see. Everything comes your way."

If there had been any loophole Yan would have taken it, but it was
now clearly his duty to go for that stone. It was pride rather than
courage that carried him through. He dressed quietly and nervously;
his hands trembled a little as he laced his shoes. Caleb waited
outside when he heard that it was Yan who was going. He braced him up
by telling him: "You're the stuff. I jest love to see grit. I'll
go with you to the edge of the woods--'twouldn't be fair to go
farther--and wait there till you come back. It's easy to find. Go four
pan