It is pretty wild, the farther
in you go."
"So much the better," Mr. Hardman murmured. "Now boys, are you ready for
lunch? I confess the walk has given me an appetite."
"The same here," admitted Fenn with a laugh.
They sat down on a grassy bank, and ate the food Bart had purchased. Mr.
Hardman seemed to be thinking of many things, for he hardly spoke during
the impromptu meal, and, when he had eaten a couple of sandwiches he
arose from the bank and wandered off a little way into the woods. When
he came back he addressed Bart:
"Are you sure no one--er--say a sick person--could get from the other
side of the forest to this road?"
"Well of course it's possible," admitted Bart, "but I don't believe a
sick person, or a well one, either, could get here without a lot of
trouble. There are no paths to speak of, so I've heard old hunters say."
"That's good," Mr. Hardman remarked, half to himself. "That's just what I
want. Is this the only road leading into the woods from Darewell?"
"The only one," replied Bart.
"Then I guess I've seen enough."
"Do you think you'll build a house here?" asked Ned.
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