country must produce
this effect. However, old fellow, here we are: and whether the land be
a good, bad, or indifferent land compared with others, you and I have
made up our minds to make the best of it. But it is time that we were
off; we had not intended remaining so long."

Philip and his brothers started up. "You must have coffee before you
go; it is a home manufacture, and so are all the ingredients." Terry
poured it out of a veritable big coffeepot--hot, with plenty of sugar
and milk. It was pronounced excellent. "See, Harry, you and Charley
may supply your family with first-rate coffee," said D'Arcy. "We shall
have a thaw before the winter sets in; dig up all the dandelion roots
you can find; dry them in the sun or in your oven for keeping; roast
them before use; and cut them up and grind them as you would
coffee-berries. This is the result. By-the-bye, Phil," he added, "you
told me that you had not caught any fish lately. It is just possible
that a change may be pleasant; and if you don't mind carrying a couple
each of you, will you present them to your mother with my best
compliments? I have got them slung ready for you, so that you have only
to throw them over your shoulders as you are starting." He did not
consider that even a few pounds weight makes a considerable difference
to a skater. Philip, however, did not like to refuse his kind offer,
knowing that it gave him pleasure to send the fish, and would give those
at home pleasure to receive them. Terry accordingly was directed to
bring out the fish, which were hard frozen, and were slung with ropes of
grass, and packed with pads of grass to keep them off the back.

D'Arcy assured them that the cracking sound they had heard was no sign
of danger, but, on the contrary, showed that the ice had taken in every
part.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1. An Indian mocassin over two pairs of thick socks is good in a
hard frost, but gets wet through with the slightest moisture. The most
important objects are to allow no pressure on any part of the foot or
ankle, to keep the feet warm and protected from fallen branches or any
other hard substance rising above the snow. In thawing weather high
waterproof boots worn over two pairs of thick socks or stockings. The
object of having the outer sock ribbed is to allow the evaporation from
the skin to have space between the outer sock and the boot; the foot a