had made a short cut in
coming back to camp and so had not secured the venison.

John jokingly cautioned him to let them know when he approached the camp
in returning, lest he be mistaken for the prowler, and Tom most soberly
promised he would, and was at great pains to do so; for he was always at
a loss to understand the younger of the two friends, and could not be
sure whether he was in sober earnest or only joking, no matter what was
said.

The night passed without incident. Tom did more than his share of guard
duty, but it became apparent next day that he did not like to wield an
axe. He said he would go out for some fresh "provender" and "sort o' earn
his keep" that way.

So while Fish went hunting, the boys toiled away. They could not complain
because Tom helped so little with the cabin, for they had no right to
expect it of him; they were thankful indeed, to have him keep the larder
well supplied and to let him sleep during the day, for he took the part
of sentinel a large part of every night. This gave the boys opportunity
to secure a good rest and to rise each morning eager to continue the task
of building.

Their faithful efforts were rapidly being rewarded and in due time the
logs for the cabin were all ready. These were chopped into lengths with a
view to making their dwelling 12 by 14 feet--no longer than the average
bedroom of modern houses, but affording all the space necessary, and
being the easier to keep warm by reason of being compact.

No time was spent on "fancy work," as John called it, at that time. A
floor and other improvements could be added later. For the main thing to
be accomplished was to get a secure shelter ready as soon as possible.

The Indian summer was long since gone, and though there were still warm,
pleasant days now and then, cold rains and snow came frequently. No
matter what the weather, however, the work went on, though hands and
faces were cut and scratched by the brush and chapped by the raw winds.

"Ree, you are a perfect fright," said John with a laugh, one day. "If
people from home were to see you now, they would say you would be lucky
to find a scare-crow which would trade places with you. And your
hair--why, it almost reaches your shoulders!"

Ree smiled but did not at once reply. Then, looking up, he said: "Old
boy, we are going back to Connecticut some day, but the time is a long
way off. If we go with whole skins and with money in our pockets, it will
be an e