al store, where the
old fellow was well known.

"We've got a list written out here," explained Jack, bringing it forth.
"I'll read it to you, and then you can tell me what you think of it."

The list was quite a long one, and the old lumberman listened
attentively as Jack read it over. Then he nodded approvingly.

"You've got it about right, boys," he said. "You must have been out
before."

"My dad helped me make out this list," explained Dick. "He and my uncles
have had quite some experience hunting, and, of course, they knew just
what to take along."

"Do you think it will be enough?" questioned Randy anxiously. His
appetite for eating never seemed to be lacking.

"You've got enough there for six or eight," answered the old lumberman.
"However, it won't do any harm to add a few more beans and a little
extra bacon; likewise a little more sugar, seeing as how boys generally
like things sweet."

It was an easy matter to purchase the various articles at the general
store, and the boys had the clerk pack them securely in several soap
boxes. Then Jack, as the treasurer for the crowd, paid the bill.

By this time it was growing dark, and Uncle Barney told them they had
better not waste their time.

"I may be mistaken, but it looks a good deal like another snowstorm to
me," he explained. "And if it's going to snow, we might as well get to
the island before it starts to come down too hard."

The old lumberman was right about the snow, and some early flakes came
sifting down while they were still at the boathouse packing the bobsled.
The old lumberman showed them how to secure the load so that there would
be no danger of its falling off.

"Now then, on with your skates, and we'll be off," he announced. In the
winter time he always made the journey between the island and the town
on his steel runners.

"I suppose skating is a good deal easier than walking," remarked Fred,
while the boys were putting on their skates.

"To be sure. And we can make so much better time."

"How far have we got to go?" questioned Andy.

"To the upper end of the island, where I've got my home, is about four
miles."

"Oh, that isn't so far!" cried Fred. "We can skate that in no time."

"We could if we could go in a straight line. But we can't," answered
Uncle Barney. "The wind blew the last snow in all sorts of ridges across
the ice, and we'll have to pick our way along as best we can."

A long rope had been attached to the bobsle