human
And look sharp for forest fires, because, seems to me I smelled smoke in the air a little while ago!
gpt
Do you imagine we'll stack up against anything like that, Jim?
human
Thet's hard tew say, replied the guide.
gpt
At this time o' year, an' with ther woods as dry as they be, anything is possible, I'd say. I don't smell smoke right naow, but then ther wind mout a changed sense Allan sez he did.
human
Well, I hardly know whether I want to run up against a real woods' fire, or not, Thad declared.
gpt
Of course, I've always wanted to see what one looked like, because I've heard so much about them; we're on a new test now, for the Silver Fox Patrol; being assistant fire wardens of the state of Maine; and as such none of us should wish a fire to occur. So I'll just forget all about it. If one happens to come along, I guess there's no harm in my looking at it.
human
I jest reckons naow, yeou'll be doin' a heap more'n jest lookin' at hit,
gpt
I can guess what you mean, Jim, he remarked.
human
You think that about that time the fire will take to chasing after me, and I'll have all I want to do in skipping out. Well, let's forget all about that, now, and talk of something else. For one thing, this is a splendid crisp fall morning. I saw pretty good ice on the edge of the lake. And say, I'd like to be up here a month or two from now. I warrant you there's some mighty fine skating on that sheet of water.
gpt
Thet they be, sumtimes, replied the other, with a nod.
human
I've seen hit jest as slick as a big pane o' glass fur miles an' miles. With ther wind ablowin' great guns I've jest opened my coat, an' been blown like a thistle-down from one end tew t'other, in less time than yew cud think. My dad, which is long gone, onct had an adventure with a pack o' wolves on thet same smooth ice, I kin remember him tellin' 'bout.
gpt
I'd like to hear it, Jim,
human
Wall, I'm a pore hand at tellin' a story, the guide admitted.
gpt
Seems like he war askatin' home, arter killin' a deer, an' hed sum o' ther meat on his back, when ther wolves took arter him. They chased him right fast, and ther on'y way dad he cud 'scape ther fangs war by making a sharp turn every time they gut too clost. Yer see ther critters cudn't swerve fast enuff, an'd slide a long ways on ther ice 'cause it war so smooth. An' in that way he kept goin' till he gut nigh home; when sum o' ther neighbors, they kim out, an' knocked spots outen ther wolves.
human
Whew! I can just imagine it, declared Thad,