108 THE LOG OF A TIMBER CRUISER 
his digestive organs having rested, he began to grow 
better. 
Frazer held a heart to heart talk with him as 
soon as he was convalescent. 
“‘T think you’d better get ready to go, Wetherby,’’ 
the chief told him, ‘‘as soon as you feel well enough 
to ride.’’ 
Horace was dumbfounded. 
‘“W-why, what’s the matter?’’ he stammered, 
scarcely able to believe his ears. 
“Your work has been unsatisfactory, that’s the 
matter,’’ replied the chief, bluntly. ‘‘And it’s be- 
cause you’re not only ignorant of what you’re sup- 
posed to do but because you won’t try to learn any- 
thing about it. You’ve got an idea you know it all 
in advance. You won’t listen to men who have for- 
gotten more about timber than you could learn in ten 
years. You undoubtedly know more than any of us 
in certain lines, but your special knowledge is of no 
more use in this life we’re leading than Brown’s 
talents would be if he were placed behind the steer- 
ing wheel of a motor car. 
‘Don’t think I’m trying to rub it in. I’ve simply 
made up my mind to let you go and I want you to 
know why. Wallace and Conway are getting sore 
on the deal. It’s not fair to have them do part of 
your work as well as their own, and that’s about 
what’s been going on right along. So as soon as the 
packers go in to town after chuck you can go along 
with them.’’ 
