dians who were to take
them back to Sagasta-weekee were uneasy at the appearances in the
heavens and of the birds in the air, and so it was decided that they
must return.

Four days of rapid paddling were sufficient to make the return journey.
At the close of each day the boys remarked, as they cuddled up close to
the splendid camp fire, that they seemed to have an additional liking
for its glow and warmth; and for the first time they preferred to sleep
as close together as possible, and were thankful that the thoughtful
Indians had in reserve for them an additional blanket apiece. The last
day of the home journey was quite a cold one, but the vigorous exercise
of paddling saved them from any discomfort. They could not but help
noticing the large numbers of geese and ducks that were flying over
them, and all were going south. The boys would have liked, where they
were specially numerous, to have stopped and had a few hours' shooting,
but the Indians said:

"Perhaps to-morrow you will see it was best for us to get home."

So "forward" was the word, and on they went and reached home after an
exceedingly rapid journey from Oxford Lake.

They met with a right royal welcome at Sagasta-weekee. Mr and Mrs
Ross and the children were all delighted to have them back again with
them. The faithful canoemen were well paid and given a capital supper
in the kitchen, and then dismissed to their several homes.

Frank, Alec, and Sam had each to give some account of their adventures
to the household as they were gathered that evening around the roaring
fire, which was much enjoyed. Then prayers were offered, and away the
boys went to their rooms. They could not but remark to each other how
much warmer were their beds than when they last slept in them. However,
they found them none too warm as they cuddled down in their downy depths
and were soon fast asleep.

When they awoke the next morning the sleet and snow were beating with
fury against the window panes, and all nature was white with snow.

Shortly after the wind went down, and then the ice covered over all the
open waters, and they saw that that most delightful summer in the Wild
North Land was ended, and the winter, with its cold and brightness and
possibilities for other kinds of sports and adventures, had begun.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Three Boys in the Wild North Land, by
Egerton Ryerson Young

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TH