terrupted the courier. "There are six of them,
all good heavy fellows and not overly bushed. You can add a few of
your own and I'll take what's left to drive on the mail. I would
advise you to rest for an hour or so and give them and yourselves a
good feed. It'll count in the long run."

Mukoki grunted his approval of the driver's words and Rod at once
began gathering more fuel for the fire. The temporary camp was soon
a scene of the liveliest activity. While the courier unpacked his
provisions, Mukoki and Wabigoon assembled the teams and proceeded to
select three of the best of their own animals to put in harness with
those of the Hudson Bay mail. The dogs from Wabinosh House were wildly
famished and at the sight and odor of the great piece of meat which
the courier began cutting up for them they set up a snarling and
snapping of jaws, and began fighting indiscriminately among themselves
until the voices of their human companions were almost drowned in the
tumult. A full pound of the meat was given to each dog, and other
pieces of it were suspended over beds of coals drawn out from the big
fire. Meanwhile Rod was chopping through the thick ice of the lake in
search of water.

After a little Wabi came down to join him.

"Our sledge is ready," he said, as Rod stopped to rest for a moment.
"We're a little short on grub for nine dogs and three people, but
we've got plenty of ammunition. We ought to find something on the
trail."

"Rabbits, anyway," suggested Rod, resuming his chopping. A few more
strokes, and water gushed through. Filling two pails the boys returned
to camp.

The shadows from the sharp pointed cedars of the forest were falling
far out upon the frozen lake when the meal was finished, and the sun,
sinking early to its rest beyond the homeless solitudes, infused but
little warmth as the three hunters prepared to leave. It was only
three o'clock, but a penetrating chill was growing in the air. Half
an hour more and only a reddish glow would be where the northern sun
still shone feebly. In the far North winter night falls with the
swiftness of wings; it enshrouds one like a palpable, moving thing, a
curtain of gloom that can almost be touched and felt, and so it came
now, as the dogs were hitched to their sledge and Rod, Mukoki and
Wabigoon bade good-by to the driver of the Hudson Bay mail.

"You'll make the other side in four hours," he called, as Mukoki's
cries sent the dogs trotting out upon the lake.