"Not even one."
"Me neither," Al said mournfully, "so I guess we can start the workin'
part. Do you want the pick or the shovel?"
"Is there a choice?"
"Could be, but here's the shovel and you might as well dig."
Ted sunk his shovel point deep into the wet earth and scooped out a
chunk of soggy earth. Ice-cold, muddy water at once filled the hole and
Ted scooped again. He made a wry face.
"This is like shoveling glue!"
"Case you ever get a job in a glue factory, you'll know how to shovel
it," Al soothed. "We got to get down anyway three feet."
"I'll persevere, but I know now why you wanted the pick.
"Who's the brains of this outfit?"
"Obviously you are."
"There ain't any real need for a pick." Al grinned. "Wet ground don't
have to be loosened. I'll go snake in some wood."
Al left and Tammie frisked beside him. Both got into the truck, and Al
drove across the clearing into the woods. Then there came the sound of
his ax ringing on dead wood.... An hour later he was back. The pickup's
box was filled with wood and Al dragged a log that he had chained to the
truck. He left the wood beside the camp and, with Tammie sitting proudly
in Ted's accustomed place, drove back for another load.
Ted continued to deepen the spring. It was cold, dirty work, but it was
a good idea and certainly it would make the camp more comfortable. The
spring must be made deep enough to form a pool. Then its present
overflow would be plugged, diverted into some secondhand pipe they'd
already bought and led into the kitchen sink. Al thought there was
sufficient fall so no pump would be necessary and the water would force
itself through the pipe. Thus the cabin would be assured of a continuous
flow of fresh, pure water. In winter, when the camp would have no
occupants, it would be necessary only to pull the pipe or plug it and so
send the overflow back into its original course.
Al returned with a second load of wood, dumped it and came up to see how
Ted was doing. Tammie sniffed at the muddy pool, then promptly jumped
into it. He climbed out, shook himself and sent a roily spray flying in
all directions.