Suppose a man could walk Over the mountains with a great big sack And pick two silver dollars from each stump. It's forty miles to where the trees begin, And on each side the river eight or ten. Think what he'd have. CAP SAUNDERS. He's made work for them, Harvey. HARVEY ANDERSON. Have millions, wouldn't he? Cap Saunders. I suppose he would. But where would this land be? There'd be no homes. And what are forests for but to cut down? HARVEY ANDERSON. You wouldn't hear him say, 'Now, Harvey, you Go in and get your sack full; I'll stay out'; Or 'Now it's your turn, Cap.' Not on your life. He'd walk his legs off, but he'd have them all. Or what's more likely, he'd let others walk, And send his wagons out and get the sacks And have them brought in to him. CAP SAUNDERS. For myself I'd rather be out here though on the mountains Than live in his big mansion. HARVEY ANDERSON. So would I. But that don't mean I'd rather tramp the flats Picking up dollars for some other man. And I suppose the mill-boys feel the same. CAP SAUNDERS. A fellow has to do the best he can. If he can stake himself, then off, I say, And pan for his own self. That's been my way. Sometimes I've struck pay dirt and sometimes not. And then I'd go and dig for a month or two For the other boys until I'd got my stake---- HARVEY ANDERSON. Here is another like the one back there; Goes half way round as clean as anything; And the bark seems the same; but on this side---- CAP SAUNDERS. (_Who has left his cast and is hurrying forward excitedly_) Hold her a minute! HARVEY ANDERSON. No, it don't fit, Cap. The same old finger width it's always been. When the curve matches, then there's some damn knot; And when the knot's not there, it's something else. No, you can't stretch it. Now it's this side; see? 'Twas best the way I had it. There you are. Might as well mark her. CAP SAUNDERS. It's a close miss, sure. It's like the one I found upon the ridge Week before last. HARVEY ANDERSON. The place where it don't match Is always on the side that you don't see Until your heart's jumped up. (_Chips the stump_) That ends the day. CAP SAUNDERS. I think I'll work a while. (_Starts back_) HARVEY ANDERSON. The sun's gone down. CAP SAUNDERS. I haven't heard the whistle of the mill. HARVEY ANDERSON. Nor like to. CAP SAUNDERS. Ah! I keep forgetting that. When a man's heard her blow for years and years He can't be always thinking that she's stopped. I wonder how the strike is getting on. HARVEY ANDERSON. As everything gets on that's Egerton's. He'll cut them down as he's cut down the trees.