"Why shouldn't I try it?" he asked.

His father laughed.

"It's work for a toughened man, my boy. You have softened with six
years of only study."

The boy laughed as well.

"You needn't fear," he said. "All strength is not attained upon a
farm, and I want to swing an ax and maul again."

And that day he set out afoot for the home of the man who needed a
fence. He told Mrs. Rolfston briefly. She paled a trifle, but made no
objection. He said he would make visits to the town.




CHAPTER X.

THE BUILDING OF THE FENCE.

An ax, a maul, a yoke of oxen; these are the great requisites for him
who would build a rail fence through a forest. Grant Harlson made the
bargain for the work, hired a yoke of oxen, as you may do in the
country, and secured the right to eat plain food three times a day at
the cabin of a laborer. A bed he could not have, but the right to
sleep in a barn back in the field, and there also to house his oxen for
the night, was given him. He slept upon the hay-mow. He went into the