“George, we’re only tiring ourselves completely out and getting no nearer the edge of the swamp than before. I believe we’re traveling in a circle; you know they say all people do that when they become lost. I suggest that we chop down some small evergreens and build what Ben calls a lean-to for shelter until the storm blows over. We can build a fire and cook these grouse, and I’m sure that sooner or later Ben will find us. Once it stops snowing we’ll travel around and make a lot of tracks, and he’ll be pretty sure to stumble across some of them and come to us. We can’t be such a terrible distance from the lake, and by firing a few shots we may be heard at the cabin. What do you say?”
“I guess it’s about all we can do, Ed; we don’t seem to be getting any nearer home by this crazy traveling. Let’s look around for a dry place for our camp. Looks as if we’re in for an all-night job.”
Slightly farther on they came to a stretch of higher ground. And there in the shelter of a hemlock grove they decided to make camp. With the little ax they felled and trimmed several small trees, and, recalling what Ben had done, they began to fashion a lean-to. They were surprised to see what a good job they made of it; and, encouraged, they went searching about for dry wood with which to start a fire.
The lads found an old stump, and by splitting it open, they secured plenty of dry kindlings. These they carefully piled up before the shelter, and after many attempts and the loss of countless matches they finally nursed them into a tiny flame. This strengthened and grew, under their painstaking labors, into a big, cheerful, crackling fire, and soon its merry, leaping flames gave forth comfort and cheer.
“This isn’t so bad,” laughed Ed, holding his wet feet toward the blaze.
“It’s great!” replied George.
They plucked a grouse, and Ed opened and cleaned it. When it had been thoroughly washed he ran a sharpened stick through its body, and placed it before the fire. The lads had seen pictures of Indian hunters doing this, and, as they possessed no cooking utensils, they decided to try this primitive method. Being amateurs, they never thought to turn the bird, and it began to burn and crust on the side nearest the coals. Then they quickly exposed the other side to the fire, and waited impatiently for it to brown. The delicious odor instantly coaxed back the appetites which had fled at sight of the noonday meal. The grouse was no sooner done than the boys took it from the spit and divided it between them.
“How is it?” inquired Ed, between mouthfuls.
“Great!” was all George took time to reply; he was too busy to waste any time in idle words.
They still had three grouse left, besides the remains of their lunch, and had little to fear from starvation, even though the storm continued for several days and prevented Ben from finding them.