It was a laughable, as well as interesting sight.

Having reached the various places mentally selected as the scene of their
intended operations in fire building, the boys set down their kettles,
and commenced to feverishly whack away at dead branches, or other wood.

In several instances two of them happened to pick out the same place, and
naturally there was considerable rivalry between them, as well as an
exchange of remarks intended to irritate and delay.

"Look at Wallace, will you!" observed Jack, presently; "nearly all the
others have smoke going, but he's chipping away as steadily as you
please. Why, he seems in no hurry at all. I guess he doesn't want to
come in ahead!"

"Wait, my boy," laughed Paul. "You don't know that sly fox. He's up to
all the dodges at fire making, and believes in a good start. Some of
those smokes never will amount to much, for they just struggle along, and
threaten to go out because it takes all the puffing the fellows can give
to keep them alive. Now he's going to strike up. Only one match needed
with Wallace, you see."

"And how his blaze jumps! You were right; he made sure he had enough fine
kindling first, before starting in. Now he's adding larger stuff; and
what's this he's doing with those stones?"

"What do you suppose?" said the scout leader, nodding his head
approvingly. "Making a little fireplace where he can perch his kettle,
and have the hottest part of his fire under it. Note also that the
opening is in the direction of the breeze. That allows the flame to be