“Always pick them up by the head and give them a shake to get the water off before you bring them in,” he cautioned.
Then he began to chuckle, for the lads were crestfallen and silent.
“That’s all right, boys; you see, I missed you and knew you had sneaked away to have a peep at the geese. I went inside and saw you had left your guns, which was right and proper, for I want you to remember never to take them unless I’m with you or give you permission.”
The boys looked at each other, thankful that Ed had failed in his mission, for they dreaded to think of the lecture that might have come from Ben had they taken the guns without permission.
“Just as I said, I knew you had no chance of getting any of the birds; and as I was sure they would sooner or later see or hear you, I decided to steal down and knock over a couple. They’re mighty fine eating.” He smiled mischievously.
They landed from the canoe, and each of the lads threw a goose over his shoulder and carried it triumphantly to the cabin. They tied the birds up outside, for Ben told them it was best to let them hang for a day or two before roasting. He said the boys should do the plucking and cleaning at the proper time, as he wished them to learn how to do such things.
While the guide busied himself inside the cabin with the preparation of the evening meal the boys sat outside talking over the interesting happenings of the day. Suddenly Ed ducked his head as a little brown animal sailed past and landed against the trunk of a tree.
“Flying squirrels!” cried George, pointing to the roof of the cabin, where several of them were running about in play.
“Here comes another!” shouted Ed, as one sailed off into the woods from the top of the cabin. “They don’t fly; they glide,” he declared, after having watched several more go past.
Ben came out holding something in his hat. When he sat down beside them, they saw that he had one of the squirrels. He said he had caught it with his hands, using the felt hat to protect him from the sharp teeth of the little creature, which would not hesitate to use them. He held the squirrel in such a manner that the boys were enabled to examine the loose folds of skin which extended down the inside of each leg, almost to its toes. They noted that when the animal spread its legs this skin formed a sort of parachute which enabled the squirrel to sail from a higher to a lower position.