iligently practiced this new method of locomotion. They had many
amusing tumbles. Sometimes, where the snowdrifts were deep, when they
attempted to pass over, they somehow or other would get the snowshoes so
tangled up that over they would go on their heads. The more they
struggled, the deeper they sank in the light, fleecy snow, until it
seemed as though nothing was visible but a pair of snowshoes wildly
wobbling about. Then the experienced Indian who always accompanied them
would come to the rescue. Gliding up gracefully on his own snowshoes to
the struggling lad, he would reach down and, seizing him under the arms,
would quickly lift him up and once more place him on his feet amidst the
laughter of the others. Thus they practiced and fell, tried again and
again, until the knack was accomplished and they could get along very
nicely.

In the meantime diligent preparations were being made indoors for this
excursion to the home of the beavers. Abundance of fat food was cooked.
Dogshoes were manufactured, as well as large moccasins for the
travellers.

In due time the start was made. It was to the boys a most unique and
novel affair. First ran the guide, a stalwart Indian, who could easily
keep ahead of the fastest train. It is the duty of the guide, by
running on in front, to indicate the best route. He must never make a
track where it is not safe for the dogs with the heavy sleds to follow.
If he finds a great fallen tree in the way it is his duty, not to jump
over the trunk and push on, but to circle around it where the party
following can easily advance. In rocky places he must ever have in mind
the loaded sleds following, and walk or run where there is an available
trail. He must never go between two trees growing so closely together
that there will be any difficulty for the widest sled following to pass
between them. He is supposed to know the strength or weakness of the
weakest train or runner, and so must decide on each resting as well as
camping place. In his footsteps all are to implicitly follow, and so
his position is one of great responsibility. As a natural result, he is
supposed to receive much higher pay than the ordinary dog-driver, who
has not much care beyond that of his own dog-train.

This being the first trip made in this direction this season, there was
not the least vestige of a road or trail. Tornado blasts had swept
through the forests which abounded most of the way. The resul