The boys helped him skin the carcass and cut out the choice parts of the meat. Then they left the head and horns until later, made convenient packs, and started for the canoe. They were careful to go around the swamp instead of crossing it again.
Once they had reached the canoe, they started directly for the cabin. The first real touch of winter was in the air, and as they paddled along Ben told them if the wind went down at dark they could expect to find ice in the morning.
When they reached the cabin he prepared a cup of hot ginger tea, which he made George drink to offset any ill effects from his exposure in the marsh. Then he cooked a delicious stew from the game they had procured in the past few days, and, as they were all extremely hungry, they ate supper early.
As Ben had prophesied, the wind died down with the sun, and a keen, biting frost descended over the wilderness. They made a roaring fire in the little stove, and drew their stools close up to it while Ben told several stories before they climbed into their bunks.
IX
FISHING THROUGH THE ICE
For a week the cold weather continued, and the lakes and ponds became covered with smooth, glistening sheets of ice. The boys, who had brought their skates, enjoyed great sport. Never before had they seen such excellent skating, and Ben advised them to make the most of it before the snow came and spoiled their fun.
One day they spied a fox crossing the lake, and they promptly skated after it. The fleet-footed animal was unable to make speed on the ice, and the boys gained rapidly. The panic-stricken fox slid about and fell constantly in its efforts to dodge its pursuers. Once it ran directly in front of Ed, and sent him sprawling—much to the delight of Ben and George. The guide, who watched the sport from shore, cautioned them against catching the animal with their hands. Therefore they were obliged to content themselves with chasing it to the edge of the woods, where, finding firm footing at last, it jumped into the bushes and sped away in safety.
Several days later the sun came out bright and warm, and Ben declared it a splendid day to fish through the ice. He promised the boys great sport, should the fish happen to be hungry. He went to a near-by spring and dipped some minnows from a supply stored there. Then he took ten or twelve pieces of lath from a shelf. Each piece was about three feet long, and had a small, round hole bored through its center, near one end. Fastened to this end was a heavy braided fish-line, from the end of which dangled a businesslike-looking hook. Provided with these, the pail of minnows, and two axes, Ben led the way over the lake to a sheltered cove. There he halted at some distance from the shore, for he explained that with the coming of cold weather the fish retired to deeper water.
While he chopped the first hole the guide set the boys at work cutting a number of sticks, about three feet long, small enough to fit loosely through the holes in the pieces of lath. By the time they had cut enough Ben had chopped several holes. The lads were anxious to help, and he surrendered the ax and told them to begin.