2 - January 1904

speed and were soon crossing the thickly wooded land between the two lakes.

When they reached the lake, they had some difficulty in getting over the thin ice along the shore.

Above the skaters soared the eternal sky yonder to the west shone the "thrice crowned queen of night." Everything glittered in the silvery light, and each particle of ice and frost reflected its ray back to the pale faced moon. One would have wondered whether the moon was the starting place or the terminus of all those beautiful rays. The silence was only broken by an occasional word, and by the sharp cutting of their gliding skates. Neither of the boys saw the beauty of the moon or marked the naked splendor of that winter scene. But with bodies bent forward

and ears intent, they kept increasing their speed.

That low distant murmur on their left had now grown into yelps and barks. The pack were upon their scent, and soon would be on the ice. The boys still had two miles to go. Would they reach the shanty in time? They were gliding at their utmost speed. urged on by the the nearness of their pursuers. The fierce wretches had changed their course so that they enterred the lake on the side and not at their back. In a few moments they would catch up.

"Here Charles," said Frank giving him his hand, "we'll sink or swim together as we have, old fellow, for years."

The thin ice along the shore considerably retarded the progress of the pack, cutting and wounding many of them. Far ahead

of the others galloped two huge grey timber wolves, their eyes fiery and mouths wide open.

The boys had agreed on what to do, and when the leading wolves came up, they turned like a flash to the right. The plan was successful. The two wolves went sliding and tumbling on their haunches and lost much time before regaining their feet and getting in way again. The boys thus gained time but the hungry brutes were not to be easily cheated, and soon they were up with the skaters again. The trick was tried again, this time to the left. Again it succeeded. More time was gained, and the boys were nearer home.

But something else must now be resorted to, for the whole pack had

come up with the two leading wolves and to turn again and dodge the leaders would be to fall in with the rest of the hungry brutes.

The boys had almost reached the long island, opposite the middle of which was the camp. The thought struck one of them that it would be better if they separated and thus divide the attention of the wolves. They did so, Frank going straight on, and Charles turning to the right between the island and the shore where the camp was situated. The leaders of the wolves, without the hesitation the boys had counted on, pursued Frank, and the whole band in true wolf style folowed their leaders.

Frank was now speeding for his life, and thought that if he could reach the far end of the island and turn around

A quickly, the pack would slide on ahead and he would have enough head-start to reach the camp. All went well until he tried to turn, when he tripped and fell. The whole troop came tumbling over him, slipping and sliding.

It was a sad sight that met the gaze of Charles and a number of lumbermen who had gone in search of their missing comrade. Only some scattered rags, the black cover of a note book, half-eaten shoes, and a pair of skates were left to tell the piteous tale.

[drawing scroll work] We have now a "Baker", "Ovens," and a "Miller". There will surely be no deficiency in the supply of bread.