Jack Skeets was a Canadian Frenchman, but since early childhood had lived in Skowhegan and spoke English with hardly an accent. He was a splendid type of woodsman and all who knew him respected him for his sterling qualities and good nature. He was jealous of his reputation although by no means a boaster. Bob had little doubt but that he would accept the challenge. He was not mistaken, for as soon as Jean told him that Baptiste had said that he could roll anyone he readily agreed to give him the opportunity to make good his boast. “We try eet as soon as they have eat, oui?” “Suits me,” Skeets replied. “Well, I wish we could stay and see those logs down,” Bob said a little later as he, together with Rex and Jack, was eating breakfast. “But now that the regular crew is on there is not the slightest doubt but that they will get there in good time. Big Ben won’t dare to try any more of his funny business.” “And college opens in three more days,” Jack said as he helped himself to hot-cakes. “And I must be getting back to business,” Rex declared. “But it’ll be fine to go back together.” “Sure will,” both boys assured him. “By the way, Bob, how about that story of the corporal you said you would tell me when you got time?” Rex asked. “That’s a good one,” Bob laughed. “And I’ll just about have time to tell it while we finish.” “It was this way,” he began. “Over in France, during the war, a corporal was marching a squad of men to a certain town which we will call St. Giles. I’ve forgotten the name of it. It was getting late in the afternoon and the men as well as the corporal were tired and hungry. They met a farmer and asked: “‘How far is it to St. Giles?’ “‘About two miles,’ was the reply, in French of course. “Well, they trudged on for another half hour or so when they met another man. “‘How far to St. Giles?’ the corporal asked him. “‘Only two miles.’ “After another half hour or more a third man was met. The same question brought the same answer: “‘Only two miles.’ “‘Well, thank goodness, we’re holding our own,’ the corporal said.” Rex laughed heartily at the story and soon after they went out in the bright sunshine. News of the contest had spread through the camp and they found the men in high spirits, gathered about in groups. “Skeets has got to do his best this time,” they heard one man declared, and they stopped beside the group to listen. “I’ve seen that man, Baptiste, roll, and take it from me he’s no slouch.” “And no more is Skeets,” spoke up another. “Two to one on Skeets.” But no one seemed inclined to take the bet and they moved on toward the river, where they could see Jean and Skeets. “Dis ees one bon place,” Jean was saying as they drew near. “Going to pull it off right now?” Bob asked. “Oui. I tink dis one bon time. Den we geet deese logs started,” Jean replied.