Chapter VII.
THE FIRST DAY ON THE LAKE.
No howling gale disturbed their rest that night, and on the next morning, which was Friday, the third day out, breakfast had been disposed of long before the hour of rising on the previous day. What had they for breakfast? Hot and tender buckwheat cakes, with syrup made from maple sugar melted in a tin cup. The boiled ham and some crackers were put where they could be got at easily for luncheon.
The stowing of the loose goods in the boat took no longer than Katy required to get the mess kit packed after breakfast. As the day was fine, and the ice, as far as they could see to the southward, whither their course lay, was smooth and free from snow, the sled was loaded with cut wood and rushes, ready for making a fire, and Jim was appointed to drag it.
As they were leaving the cabin, after a last look to see that nothing had been forgotten, Katy spoke up:
"Why can't we take along some of this nice straw? It doesn't weigh anything to speak of."
"Oh, we can't," says Jim, crossly. "Girls are always trying to do things they know nothing about."