"Yes, sir," answered another chainman, stepping forward.

"Take Thane with you, and carry Mr. Hazelton's transit to Grizzly
Ledge. Mr. Hazelton and I will be there presently."

Two more chainmen started away.

Now, both of Tom's chainmen started forward, the rear one moving
to the first metal stake that displayed the red marker. Tom still
remained at the transit, motioning to the men whenever they got
the least out of a true straight line to the rodman. It was not
hard work for Reade at this point, but it required his closest
attention.

After some time had passed the chainmen had "chained" the whole
distance between Tom's stake and the rod resting on the next stake.
Now the rodman, after making a close measurement, signaled back.
Nine downward sweeps of his right arm signified nine chains;
next the movements of his arm signaled the forty-four links of
a tenth chain. Then seven movements of the left hand across in
front of the eyes, and Reade knew that stood for seven-tenths
of a link. Hence on the page of his field note book Tom wrote
the distance between the stakes as nine chains and forty-four
and seven-tenths links.

"That's good," nodded Rutter, who had been watching every move
closely. The forty-four signaled by the rodman's left arm, instead
of being made up of forty-four downward strokes, had consisted
of four such strokes, followed by a pause, and then four more