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"Niver wuz such a crew in th' woods, miss," boasted Daddy Dunnigan one afternoon as Ethel stood in the door of the cook-shack and watched the old man's preparation of the gigantic supper. "Oi've logged a bit, here an' there, an' always Oi've be'n where min wuz but niver Oi've seed 'em buckle down an' tear out th' bone, wan day wid another, save in th' so'gerin' days av Captain Fronte McKim.
Now Bill Carmody was, by environment, undemocratic, and he resented being called a greener. Also the emphasis which old Daddy Dunnigan had placed upon the words "good man," in evident contrast to himself, rankled. How he wished, as he sat in the cold discomfort of the shack, that he had heeded the timely and well-meant advice.
Each minute added to the difficulties of the journey, which, in the words of Daddy Dunnigan was "a fine two walks for a good man," and, with the added hardship of a heavy snowfall, would have been a man's-sized job for the best of them equipped, as they would have been, with good grub and snowshoes. Bill was forced to rest frequently.
But, most of all, she loved to tell of Captain Fronte, the big, fighting, devil-may-care brother who was her childish idol; and of one, James Dunnigan, the corporal, who had followed Captain Fronte through all the wars, and to whose coolness and courage her soldier brother owed his life on more than one occasion, and whose devotion and loyalty to the name of McKim was a byword throughout the regiment, and in Kerry.
Unconsciously he was learning a lesson and this first lesson would be hard but very thorough, and the next time he met Daddy Dunnigan he would take him by the hand. For here was a man a good man in the making. But a man new to his surroundings. A man who would learn hard but quickly and who would fight hard against the very conditions which were to make him.
The girl laughed happily and passed on with a great love in her heart for Daddy Dunnigan and the big, rough men out in the timber who were "tearing out the bone" that her man might make good. Day by day the black pyramids of the rollways lengthened, and the skidways were pushed farther and farther into the timber.
The boss had carefully verified so much of Creed's story by a guarded pumping of Dunnigan, and the crafty old Irishman took keen delight in so wording his answers, and interspersing them with knowing winks and quirks of the head, as to add nothing to the boss's peace of mind.
In his bearing was no hint of superiority nor intolerance; he advanced heartily, hailing these men as equals and friends. Near the stove he halted, leaning upon his crutch, and swept the group with a glance. "Good evening! Do any one of you men happen to be named Dunnigan?"
Rent's the cheapest thing they is in Hilarity jest kick out the rats an' spread your blankets." It was when Bill stooped to add the gaudy-labeled cans to his pack that Daddy Dunnigan, of the twisted leg, volunteered the bit of advice that fell upon his ears unheeded.
He's th' bist man in th' woods, an' ut's up to you to pull um t'rough." Before the girl could reply the door closed and the two men were swallowed up in the storm. Ethel was surprised to find that she was hungry, and the appetizing luncheon which old Daddy Dunnigan had carefully prepared and packed for her was soon disposed of.
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