50 THE LOG OF A TIMBER CRUISER 



idea or a sentiment he had no compunction whatever 

 about breaking in and continuing the thread of his 

 discourse. 



This sort of thing was unpleasant. We suggested 

 as much to Horace on various occasions, but with- 

 out apparent effect. It was evident that if we were 

 to enjoy our evenings at all some more radical action 

 must be taken. But no one felt like starting a real 

 fight. Quarrels in camp are about the last thing 

 to be desired ; resorted .to, if at all, only in an ex- 

 tremity. 



We felt, however, that in Horace's case there could 

 be but one result. And true enough before many 

 days the inevitable explosion occurred. 



It came about this way. The constant wielding 

 of a four pound axe had made of Horace a mighty 

 trencherman. One evening, when he had twice made 

 the round of the table for supplies, a thought struck 

 him. 



"It appears to me," he suggested to Frazer, "that 

 Bert ought to wait on us and eat afterward. I've 

 always been accustomed to being waited upon." 



Frazer stopped short in the act of swallowing and 

 stared at him to see if he were really in earnest. 



Waiting on oneself at table is an invariable camp 

 usage in the Southwest. The cook, indeed, as the 

 most indispensable member of the party, holds a 

 position a little superior to that of the chief. He is 

 accorded marked consideration, treated with a 

 special and particular brand of courtesy, for upon 



