"Daddy, are you all right?" went on Ruth, for she had gotten into the habit, of late, of looking after her father, who seemed to lean on her more and more as she grew older.
"Everything, daughter," he replied. "And my throat feels much better. I think the cold air is doing it good."
"That's fine!" she laughed, happily. "Now I wonder which of these sleighs is ours?"
"I'll tell you in a minute," said Mr. Pertell. "I want to see the lodge-keeper. Oh, there he is! Hello, Jake Macksey!" he called to the sturdy man, in big boots, who was stalking about among the sleds, "is everything all right for us?"
"Everything, Mr. Pertell," was the hearty answer. "We'll have you out to Elk Lodge in a jiffy. My wife has got a lot of stuff cooked up, for she thought you'd be hungry."
"Indeed we are!" grumbled Mr. Sneed.
"But if dere iss stuff cooked I can safe mine pretzels!" chuckled Mr. Switzer.
The baggage was stowed in one sled, and in the others the members of the picture company distributed themselves.
"All right?" asked Jake Macksey, who was a veteran guide and hunter, and in charge of Elk Lodge.
"All ready!" answered Mr. Pertell.