e to carry it home," said Marco; "but I suppose you would
think that that would be a foolish plan."

"No," said Forester, "I do not think it would be foolish. The shingle is
flat, and will lie down in the bottom of your trunk; and, after you get
tired of it as a shingle, you can have a little box made of it, and
keep it all your life, as a memorial of this expedition."

This was a very good plan, for Marco had not shaved his shingle very
thin. In fact, it was of about equal thickness at the two ends. This,
though a very serious fault in a shingle, made it much more suitable as
a material for making a box of.

Marco also amused himself for half an hour in going down to the spring,
where the farmer's wife went to get water, and playing there. There was
a pleasant little path leading from the house down to the spring. He
went down once alone, and brought up a pail half full of water, for the
farmer's wife, which seemed to please her very much.

While he was doing these things, Forester remained in the house, writing
letters. Before Forester had finished his last letter, however, Marco
had got tired of all his amusements, and began to think that they had
better resume their journey.

"Very well," said Forester; "whenever you say the word."

"How are you going?" asked Marco.

"I have made a bargain with the farmer," said Forester, "to let us have
his wagon to go through the woods about twenty-five miles, and Isaiah is
going with us, in order to drive the wagon back."

Marco was much pleased with this arrangement, and Forester asked him
what time they should start. "We are under your direction, you know,"
said he.

"Yes," said Marco, "and I wish you would let me have the direction all
day."

"I have a great mind to do it," said Forester.

"Do," said Marco, "and see how well I'll manage."

"Well," said Forester; "I will give up the command to you till I resume
it again."

Marco was quite pleased with his new powers. He said they must take a
hatchet and a bag of provisions, for he meant to dine in the woods on
the way. Isaiah accordingly put a hatchet in the wagon. They also took
some bread and cheese, and some other articles of food, in a bag; and
also a tin dipper, to drink from. When all was ready, Marco called
Forester, and they set off. Their trunk was put into the wagon behind.

They went on very well for ten miles. The road led through thick forests
for a large part of the way, and it was very stony and