"Neither did I until he spoke to me about it," said Mr. Waterman.
"That's too bad," said Pud. "I thought I was going to have a real cold shower every morning."
He said it so seriously that neither Mr. Waterman nor Mr. Anderson knew whether he really meant it or not. To Bob later, Pud stated that the intervention of Pierre was providential for he had never been under such a real icy shower before.
After their swim they all sat down to breakfast and enjoyed every bit of it. After breakfast they spent some time cleaning up the camp. They got everything ship-shape in their tents first and then they cleared up a part of the beach. The boys enjoyed this as the experience of wielding an axe was new to then. They also had cause for wonder at the way in which their two leaders used the axes. They went at things very strenuously and seemed to be able to hit just where they wished. Bob commented on their skill, but they both stated that they were mere beginners in comparison with the guides.
About nine o'clock Mr. Waterman called a halt, and they got ready for their little journey. They took along just a loaf of bread and a small tin in which butter, salt and pepper were packed. The boys took along their rods and Mr. Waterman carried a small rifle. In explanation of the latter he said that they might have a shot at a duck or a partridge. They took two canoes. Bob went with Mr. Waterman, while Pud and Bill carried Mr. Anderson as a passenger. To their surprise, Mr. Waterman led the way just around the bend and then to the opposite shore. The boys had not noticed a path, but on landing they could see a trail leading off along a little stream that emptied into the lake at this place. On landing, Mr. Waterman fixed the paddles in the right way, took up the canoe and was off. Bob carried his gun, and he had all he could do to keep up with his leader. Mr. Anderson also wished to make the first portage, but Pud prevailed, and after a little trouble, they started off. Pud was soon puffing and blowing, for the path was steep. Mr. Anderson led the way for the other two had been lost to view even before the second party got started.
"This isn't so easy as it looks," said Pud to Bill.
"If you're getting tired, I'll take it," answered Bill.
"Not on your life. I've got to learn the knack of this portaging, for I mean to do a lot of it this summer, and I might just as well get used to it now as any time," said Pud, between his puffs.
"Let the weight rest on forearms, head and shoulders and you won't mind it," said Mr. Anderson. "As you say, there's a knack to it. Also, it takes muscles that we don't use right along, and for that reason it's rather tiring at first."
By this time they had topped the little divide between the two lakes and they began to descend. Pud began to have his troubles, for like all novices, he carried the canoe poorly. He came near to falling several times, and it was with a sigh of relief that he came out on the shore of a small lake. Bob and Mr. Waterman were in their canoe off the shore, evidently waiting for them.