into the cocoa-nut grove, and were soon out of sight of the tents.

"Now, William, do you know," said Ready, stopping after they had walked
twenty yards, "by what means we may find our way back again; for you
see this forest of trees is rather puzzling, and there is no path to
guide us?"

"No, I am sure I cannot tell; I was thinking of the very same thing
when you spoke; and of Tom Thumb, who strewed peas to find his way
back, but could not do it, because the birds picked them all up."

"Well, Tom Thumb did not manage well, and we must try to do better; we
must do as the Americans always do in their woods, - we must blaze the
trees."

"Blaze them! what, set fire to them?" replied William.

"No, no, William. Blaze is a term they use when they cut a slice of the
bark off the trunk of a tree, just with one blow of a sharp axe, as a
mark to find their way back again. They do not blaze every tree, but
about every tenth tree as they go along, first one to the right, and
then one to the left, which is quite sufficient; and it is very little
trouble, - they do it as they walk along, without stopping. So now
we'll begin: you take the other side, it will be more handy for you to
have your hatchet in your right hand; I can use my left. See now - just
a slice off the bark - the weight of the axe does it almost."

"What an excellent plan!" observed William.

"But I have another friend in my pocket," replied Ready, "and I must