32 THE LOG OF A TIMBER CRUISER 
ter. I was simply in a funk, that was all there was 
to it. 
‘‘Tg there much of it like this?’’ I inquired feebly. 
‘Well,’ replied Frazer, with chilling cheerful- 
ness, ‘‘the Black Range, as a whole, is considered 
about the roughest country in the District. I’ve 
been over a good deal of it in a preliminary survey 
and, while some places are better than this, some 
are worse. The Animas Canyon region, for in- 
stance, is a fright. But just forget about the fu- 
ture! It’s not here yet. Take each day and each 
run and each chain that you pace as it comes, and 
you'll find it will all work out. You’ll have to get 
on to pacing and sketching contours first. That will 
keep your mind busy for the time being. To-morrow 
we'll try a run. Bob and Wetherby have cruised 
before, so they can work alone, and I’ll take you out 
with me. It will be the easiest way for you to get 
on to what you need. You won’t have any trouble 
learning. Take my word for it, in a few weeks 
you’ll look back at to-night and laugh at yourself!’’ 
‘‘T hope so,’’ I answered, and tried to speak con- 
vincingly, though the strength that conviction gives 
to words was, I fear, wholly lacking. : 
