," declared
Mollie.

"Well, let's get back to the cabin," voiced Will. "My feet are wet."

"And we'll all feel better for a cup of tea," added Mollie.

Behold them then, a little later, seated about a cosy fire, sipping tea,
coffee or chocolate, according to their fancies, Mrs. Franklin having
insisted on serving them. Soon the danger was but a poignant memory.

Days passed. The thaw spent itself and a freeze set in. Again there was
excellent skating and ice boating, though the girls were a bit timid of
the latter. Then came several winter affairs--parties in country-homes
to which the girls were invited through the courtesy of Mrs. Franklin.

The girls enjoyed every one of them, and so did the boys. The winter was
approaching its coldest spell. The Christmas holidays were not far off.
Regarding the disputed claim, Mr. Jallow appeared to have matters in his
favor. His men continued to cut the choice timber despite the protest of
Mr. Ford, who was in despair at his inability to prove what he believed
to be his right.

Alice Jallow and her friends remained in their winter cabin, but our
friends saw little of them. Occasionally the boys met one another, but
beyond rather frigid greetings little was said.

A big snow storm put an end to ice sports and the boys and girls went in
for snowshoes, no one being very expert on them, however. One afternoon,
when the boys had gone to town for some supplies, Betty proposed that
the girls go for a little tramp. It was not cold, and the snow, with a
heavy crust, was just right for the "tennis racquets," as she somewhat
gaily dubbed the snowshoes.

They walked for several miles, and were about to turn back, when,
unexpectedly they came in sight of a little cabin in a snow-filled
glade.

"I wonder who lives there?" said Amy.

"Don't go too close. It may be another bear trap," said Betty with a
laugh.

"That's no trap!" insisted Grace. "It's a regular cabin. I'm going to
look in. Maybe an Indian used to live there, and we can find some
relics."

The others rather reluctantly followed as Grace advanced. She peered in
one of the windows, and, as she uttered a cry the others heard a
distinct groan.

"What--what's that?" gasped Amy.

"Some one is in there! I saw a man lying in a bunk!" exclaimed Grace,
moving away.

As the girls hesitated, looking at one another with fear-blanched faces,
they heard a hollow voice calling:

"Help! Help! Get me a doctor!"

"Some one is h