ey were thus able
to rig out three trains for the trip. Extra sleds and harness were
taken along, as well as food and blankets, in case any serious accident
or delay should happen to them. In such a land it is always best to be
prepared for any emergency.

The boys were very proud and happy in their new mooseskin costumes and
snow-white blankets, only relieved by the black stripes on the sleeves
and skirts. Kinesasis, who had been on the lookout, at length reported
the morning star, just visible as the harbinger of dawn. This was good
news, and so the start was soon made.

Mr Ross up to a late hour the previous evening had not thought of
going, but now, at the sight of the dogs and the preparations for the
journey, he seemed to catch the enthusiasm of the boys, as well as the
fire of earlier days, and resolved to accompany them. Three Indian dog-
drivers had been secured, while Kinesasis, old as he was, was proud to
act the part of guide for the whole party.

Sam shared a large cariole with Mr Ross, while Frank and Alec occupied
another. To each cariole was assigned a careful driver. The third
Indian made up his load of several dog-sleds piled on each other. All
were well-loaded with supplies. Kinesasis armed himself with a stout
pole about ten feet long, which he carried as an Alpine climber would
his alpenstock, although it weighed as much as a dozen of them. The
boys were surprised at seeing him thus encumber himself with a pole so
heavy. They were also perplexed, when it grew lighter, to see a similar
one tied on to the sled of the third driver. However, before the
journey was finished they saw the wisdom of his forethought.

At first some of the dogs seemed to resent the restraint of the harness,
and acted as though they would still have preferred the liberty which
had been theirs all through the summer months. Others, however, seemed
to be delighted to hear the music of the little open bells, with which
the collars of their harness were decorated, and joyously barked and
jumped about as though, in glad sport, they were dancing to the music
they themselves were making.

The trail selected at once led them out along Jack River, and then
southwest into Playgreen Lake. Kinesasis's alert eye was on the ice
continually. Now he was glancing at the long stretches before him, and
then quickly deciding the best route to follow. When this was selected
he seemed to critically examine every yard of the ice