There was some foundation in fact for Hal's statement, for the little cabin, but dimly lighted at best, was even at this late hour in a semi twilight, due to the snow that partly covered the windows; the effect was very much that of daybreak. The odor of frying bacon, however, was a potent inducement to get up, and by the time dinner was ready the boys were ready for it. There was considerable good-natured joshing over their ability to sleep and Pat warned them that if they repeated the performance they would be taken out and dropped in a snow-bank. It had been a good thing for them, however, just what they needed after their strenuous experience of the previous day, and beyond some stiffness they confessed that they never had felt better in their lives.
"What are we going to do this afternoon—start scouting for those thieves?" Hal asked as he wiped the dishes.
Pat laughed. "Not so that you'd notice it, me bye. We're going to stay right here. The storm's not over yet, and if it keeps on I'm thinking we'll be buried completely. However, it looks to me as if it will break away shortly, and then you'll have a chance to show what good little diggers they raise in Noo Yor-r-k."
"And in the meantime?"
"We'll enjoy all the comforts av home." Pat yawned and stretched.
"Which means, I suppose, that we'll sit around and play Simon says thumbs up, or something like that, all the afternoon," laughed Hal.
"Perhaps ye'd like to sleep some more," suggested Alec slyly.
"And perhaps you've got another guess coming," retorted Hal. "What's that thing you're whittling on?"
"A stretching board for marten," replied Alec.
"What's a stretching board, and how do you use it?" Hal was all interest.