ssured them that the timber and mountains were
full of game of all sorts.

"I wonder what route Dan Baxter's party took," said Dick, as they gained
the river, and stopped to put on their skates.

"I didn't hear what route they took," answered their guide. "I reckon
they went straight over the mountains. I don't believe as how Bill
Harney takes to skating."

"Is this Bill Harney a good sort?" asked Tom. "If he is, I can tell you
he has got into bad company."

"Bill isn't so bad when he's sober. It's when he gits full o' rum that
he makes things lively. He's a great drinker."

They were soon on the river, which at this point was fifty to sixty feet
wide. The snow covered a large portion of the surface, but the wind had
cleared many a long stretch, and they skated on these, dragging the
sleds behind them. Each sled was packed high with the camping outfit,
but they ran along readily.

"I wonder how long we'll be out," said Sam, as he skated by Tom's side.

"I guess that will depend upon what luck we have, Sam. If we strike the
right spot first clip we ought to be back inside of five or six days."

As the party moved up the river they found the stream wound in and out
between the mountains On either side were bare rocky walls or dense
patches of timber, with here and there a tiny open space, now piled deep
with snowdrifts.

"I see some rabbits ahead!" cried Tom presently. "Wonder if I can bring
them down," he added, as he unslung his gun. But long before he could
take aim the bunnies were out of sight amid the timber.

"You'll have to carry your gun in your hand for a shot at them," came
from Dick. "But be careful, or you may trip up on some frozen twig and
shoot somebody."

Mile after mile was passed, but no further game came to view, much to
Tom's disgust.

"Not much right around here," said John Barrow, as he saw Tom put his
gun back over his shoulder. "The boys from Timber Run have cleared the
ground putty well. But you'll see something sure a little further
on--and maybe more'n you bargain for."

"I'm not afraid of big game, Mr. Barrow. We faced some pretty bad
animals when we were in Africa and out West."

"I allow that must be so, Tom. But you want to be careful even so. A big
mountain deer or a bear aint to be fooled with, I can tell you that."

About eleven o'clock they came to the first falls above Timber Run. Here
the water was frozen into solid masses, but the way was so uneven they
found it pr