"You have done as much as Matt, of late years, to earn this money, and it would be a hard case to have it taken from you by his relations."
"I think it would. Matt did most of the chopping, and I did all the hauling. But I meant to be honest, and the money shall go wherever it belongs."
[Illustration: PHIL AND LIEUTENANT JACKSON GO TO PARADISE ISLAND. Page 236.]
"Not the least; but I don't suppose there is a great deal," I replied, as we reached the house.
"If I can help you, Phil, call upon me at any time. I shall be at the fort above for a year or two, probably."
"Thank you, Mr. Jackson. You have been very kind to me. I shall always remember you."
The soldiers had removed most of the boards on the sides of the house, and were now taking off the roof. The lieutenant ordered some of his men to bring up the piano box, which was in a rude shanty used as a storehouse for supplies. All the force that could get hold of the piano then placed it sidewise upon four chairs, and we took off the legs. The instrument was then wrapped in the oil-cloth, and placed in the box, where it could not be injured by a falling board or timber. Raising the case upon three rollers, which I had prepared for the purpose, we easily slid it out of the house on a track of boards.
"Now, Mr. Jackson, if you will let Morgan help me, we will move this box down to the river," said I, when it was ready.
"But you want half a dozen men," added he.
"No, sir. Let all the rest of the men take down the house. We can do this alone. It is a long job, and we must have it moving at once."
"Just as you say, Phil," laughed the officer.
The distance to the river was about eighty rods. The forest was open enough, the greater part of the way, to permit the passage of the box, and only near the river should we be obliged to cut away the young trees. We demolished the old shanty, and taking half a dozen of the boards, laid down a track towards the river. The ground was nearly level for a short distance, and we used levers to propel the box forward. As fast as one roller ran out in the rear, we placed it forward, and thus managed to keep both ends of the box up all the time.
"Why couldn't we move the house without taking it to pieces, Phil?" said the lieutenant, laughing, as he watched the operation.