“Don’t be a nut,” Sandy snapped. “Now get up and help me rig up a lean-to.”
“A lean-to?” Jerry said wonderingly. “What kind of a lean-to?”
“The kind Charley says the Eskimos build on the trail. They fasten a big hide to the side of the sled that’s out of the wind and peg the other side down to the ice, or weight it down. The snow piles up against the far side of the sled, forming a solid windbreak, and you have yourself a cozy little tent.”
“We don’t have any hides,” Jerry said.
“We have that big rug in the sled. C’mon, let’s get to work.”
While Sandy fastened the robe to the top of the sled’s guard rail, Jerry weighted the far side down with a pair of snowshoes he found in the sled and heaped up snow on top of the shoes until they weighted down the robe securely. When they were finished, Sandy scooped the excess snow out from beneath the robe and they had a small lean-to with just enough room in it to shelter two people.
“Well, that’s that,” Sandy said with satisfaction, brushing off his mittens. “Now I’ll unhitch the dogs while you get our supper ready.”
The erection of the lean-to had renewed Jerry’s confidence. “What’ll you have?” he inquired flippantly. “Roast turkey with chestnut stuffing or a thick steak smothered with onions and a side of French fries?”
Sandy played the game with him. “No, I’m getting sick of that goppy stuff. How about a couple of frozen sandwiches and a thermos of cold coffee?”
“Just what I had in mind,” Jerry called to him as he rummaged through the packs on the sled. “Are we going to feed the huskies?”