ul making of their traps caused the
second season to be a greater success than the first, good as the
latter had been. They shot an additional number of buffaloes and
elk, but what they sought in particular was the beaver, and they
were lucky enough to find two or three new and secluded little
streams, on which he had built his dams.

The valuable furs now accumulated rapidly, and it was wise
forethought that had made them fit up the second cave or hollow.
They were glad to have two places for them, in case one was
discovered by an enemy stronger than themselves.

Autumn turned into winter, with snow, slush, and ice-cold rain.
The preceding winter had been mild, but this bade fair to break
some records for severe and variegated weather. Now came the
true test for Albert. To trudge all day long in snow, icy rain
or deep slush, to paddle across the lake in a nipping wind, with
the chilly spray all over him, to go for hours soaking wet on
every inch of his skin--these were the things that would have
surely tried the dwellers in the houses of men, even those with
healthy bodies.

Albert coughed a little after his first big soaking, but after a
hot bath, a big supper, and a long night's sleep, it left, not to
return. He became so thoroughly inured now to exposure that
nothing seemed to affect him. Late in December--so they
reckoned the time--when, going farther than usual into a long
crevice of the mountains, they were overtaken by a heavy
snowstorm. They might have reached the Suburban Villa by night,
or they might not, but in any event the going would have been
full of danger, and they decided to camp in the broadest part of
the canyon in which they now were, not far from the little brook
that flowed down it.

They had matches with them--they were always careful to keep
them dry now--and after securing their dry shavings they lighted
a good fire. Then they are their food, and looked up without
fear at the dark mountains and the thick, driving snow. They
were partially sheltered by the bank and some great ash trees,
and, for further protection, they wrapped about themselves the
blankets, without which they never went on any long journey.

Having each other for company, the adventure was like a picnic to
both. It was no such desperate affair as that of Dick's when he
was alone on the plain. They further increased their shelter
from the snow by an artful contrivance of brush and fallen
boughs, and although