awed
for the dogs, and then some of the men prepared the usual supper, which
consisted of the fattest meat that could be obtained. Prayers were
offered after the Evening Hymn had been sung, the beds of fur robes and
blankets were made, and Mr Ross and the boys were soon very thoroughly
tucked in. Nothing unusual disturbed them in the night, although some
of the men had an uneasy half hour, as the dismal howlings of a solitary
wolf in the distance could be distinctly heard. The mournful sounds at
length died away, and the men again went to sleep.

As they were retiring Mustagan told the boys that the steam would be
going best just after sunrise, and so they had better all be up early
and, after a good warm cup of tea and something to eat, be off to see it
and then return to breakfast. Then he said, "After that we will find
out what makes the steam."

There was only the faintest glimmer of the coming dawn when the boys
were called up. My, but it was cold that morning! How the lads did
shiver! Wistfully they looked back at the warm robes and blankets which
the men were rapidly rolling up. Gladly would they have tumbled under
them again, the cold was so terrible, it must have been at least fifty
below zero. It seemed to chill them to the very marrow of their bones.
Their teeth chattered. The tears in their eyes froze into ice. The
breath touching their fur caps, or capotes, instantly became white and
shining. Well was it for them that the fire was brightly burning ere
they were called. Speedily were seats of rolls of blankets prepared for
them, and here, with a big buffalo skin thrown around each one as an
additional protection, they were seated as close to the fire as it was
possible to get without setting their clothes or robes on fire. How
warming and delicious was the tea that morning!--well-sweetened, and
with a lump of cream in it. Cup after cup was taken, and soon the
bitter cold was forgotten.

"Very cold morning," said Mustagan. "Take good breakfast now, then
another good one will be ready when we come back from seeing the steam."

With all the clothing that could well be worn consistent with rapid
snow-shoeing the party soon set off. Their direction from the camp was
due south. As far as the boys could make out the region was full of
great rocky ravines. But the snow covered everything, and it was
evident that the high winds had caused enormous quantities to drift into
the hollows and ravine