Down at the yards work had already begun on the logs, so that when the lower end of the river was reached, Mr. Paxton could identify his property from the property of scores of other lumbermen. In order to know their own logs each lumberman or firm has a private mark, which is cut in deeply on every log sent down the stream. The marks are numerous, consisting of figures, letters, crosses, stars, daggers, and numerous combinations of these. Mr. Paxton's mark was two I's, an X, and two I's--II X II--and not a log was made ready for shipment until the yard foreman was assured that this mark was cut in it in such a fashion that the rough passage down the various waterways to the mills or booms should not efface it. "We are going to have a corking cut this year," said Owen, one day, after looking over the lumber piles. "Old Foley says he can count up eighty thousand feet more of timber than he had last year at this time." "Well, that ought to please Mr. Paxton," answered Dale. "But what was he saying to you just before I came up? You mentioned a ride on a sled." "He wanted to know if I'd drive over to the Gannett camp for him. He wants some things from there." "Of course you said you'd go. It will be a fine drive over the hills." "Yes, I said I'd go, and he said I could take you if I wished." "Hurrah, just the thing!" shouted Dale. "I've been wanting a holiday. Working in the woods every day in this splendid weather is rather tiresome." The matter was talked over, and it was decided that the pair should start early the following morning. They had a good stout sleigh belonging to Mr. Paxton, and one of the best teams the camp afforded. As the Gannett camp was thirty miles away, and the snow in some spots was unusually deep, they were to take some provisions with them, and make the trip a two-days' one. "I don't want you young fellows to starbe on de way," said old Jeff. "So I dun cooked you a fust-class dinnah an' put it in de basket." And he brought it out to them and saw it stowed away safely in the back of the sleigh. Some of the men had relatives working at the other camp, and the young lumbermen carried a number of letters in addition to the order Mr. Paxton gave them. There were also two saws to carry and two iron camp kettles; so the sleigh was well loaded when they started off. "This is going to be just the finest ride that ever was," said Dale enthusiastically, as he cracked the whip. "I couldn't think of anything better." "If we don't get stuck in a snowdrift," returned Owen. "The drifts must be pretty deep between the hills." "We'll have to stick to high ground then." "That isn't always so easy." "Barton said the road was open." "He was over it ten days ago. Since that time we have had some pretty heavy winds, and a light fall of snow in the bargain." "Well, we'll pull through somehow," said Dale confidently. "Of course we will!"