CHAPTER XI.

BACKWOODS GEOMETRY.


The quarrel having ended in the way described in the last chapter, the
boys were compelled to find something else to talk about, as they were
under a pledge not to refer further to that matter. They were
prepared, therefore, to take an interest in Sam's preparations for
resuming the march without the assistance of a compass. Their
curiosity was great to know how he meant to proceed, and it was made
greater by what he did first.

The clouds were thick and heavy, as I have already said, so that there
was no chance to look at the sun for guidance; but Sam Hardwicke was
full of resources. He had a good habit of observing whatever he saw
and remembering it, whether he saw any reason to suppose that it
might be of use to him or not. Just now he remembered something which
he had observed the evening before, and he proceeded at once to make
use of it.

He cut a stick, sharpened it a little at one end, and drove it into
the ground at a spot which he had selected for the purpose. Then he
walked away twenty or thirty paces and drove another stake, sighting
from one to the other, and taking pains to get them in line with a
tree which stood at a little distance from the first stake.