The narrator expresses a desire to explore the rugged flinty hills, seeking a tangible reminder from the past. He imagines discovering an old double-bitted ax embedded in a white oak tree, suggesting a longing for history and connection to nature. This scene evokes a sense of adventure and nostalgia, as the ax represents the passage of time and the stories it holds.

The imagery of the ax, with its handle decayed and possibly accompanied by a rusty lantern, further emphasizes the theme of lost treasures and the bittersweet nature of memory. This quest illustrates the narrator's deep appreciation for the past and the artifacts that symbolize it, encapsulating an enduring relationship with the environment and its history.