By a mark on a tree they found the corner of their farm." Martin
paused.
"Do go on," said Miss Brodie. "Tell me the very first thing he did."
But Martin seemed to hesitate. "Well," he began slowly, "I've often
heard my father tell it. When they came to that tree with the mark on
it, grandfather said, 'Boys, we have reached our home. Let us thank
God.' He went up to a big spruce tree, drove his ax in to the butt, then
kneeled down with the two little boys beside him, and I have heard my
father say that when he looked away up between the big trees and saw the
bit of blue sky there, he thought God was listening at that blue hole
between the tree-tops." Martin paused abruptly, and for a few moments
silence held the group. Then Doctor Dunn, clearing his throat, said with
quiet emphasis:
"And he was right, my boy; make no doubt of that."
"Then?" inquired Miss Brodie softly. "If you don't mind."
Martin laughed. "Then they had grub, and that afternoon grandfather cut
the trees and the boys limbed them off, clearing the ground where the
first house stood. That night they slept in a little brush hut that did
them for a house until grandmother came two weeks later."
"What?" said Doctor Dunn. "Your grandmother went into the forest?"
"Yes, Sir," said Martin; "and two miles of solid black bush stretched
between her and the next woman.
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