The sun was two hours high when Amesbury and Ahmik suddenly halted, and when Paul and Dan, who had fallen considerably in the rear, overtook them, Ahmik was cutting wood, while Amesbury, lighting a fire, was singing:
“‘Polly put the kettle on,
Polly put the kettle on,
Polly put the kettle on,
And let’s drink tea.’”
“How are you standing it, fellows?” he asked, looking up.
“Not bad, sir,” answered Dan.
“I’m about tuckered out, and as empty as a drum!” exclaimed Paul.
“Pretty hard pull for raw recruits,” said Amesbury, laughing. “But wait till tomorrow! Cheer up! The worst is yet to come.”
“I hope it won’t be any harder than this,” and Paul sat wearily down upon his toboggan.