A JOURNEY TO NATURE 



a bench was working with a draw-knife. As 1 

 accosted him, he looked up over his iron spec 

 tacles with a jerk. 



&quot; Can you tell me where I can get a team to 

 take me back to the Hotchkiss Farm? &quot; I asked. 



&quot; No, I can t,&quot; said the old man. &quot; I don t 

 keep teams to let.&quot; 



&quot; But you might know of somebody who 

 does.&quot; 



&quot;Yes, I might, but I don t.&quot; And the crusty 

 old fellow resumed work with his draw-knife. 



&quot; I beg your pardon for supposing that you 

 had time enough to answer a question civilly,&quot; 

 I said. &quot; I took you for the average human 

 being;&quot; and I was turning away, when a young 

 man who was working under a wagon in the rear 

 of the shop rose up and turned upon me such a 

 frank and friendly countenance that it was like a 

 burst of sunshine. 



&quot; Did you come from the Hotchkiss Farm ? &quot; 

 he asked. 



&quot;Yes. There are two of us. We were taking 

 a jaunt through the country afoot. There is a 

 storm coming on, and we wish to hire some one 

 to take us back.&quot; 



The young man was a fine specimen of mascu 

 line strength, frankness, and good humour. His 

 broad open face invited confidence. 



&quot; Is it important to get back right away ? &quot; 



&quot;Yes rather. I shouldn t like to be left 

 here over night, judging from what I have seen 

 of your inhabitants.&quot; 



222 



