"Good! That's the way ter feel about it. We'll hev a little fun."
Just beyond the cabin was a clear patch of level ground.
"A good place for our games," remarked Yardsley, rubbing his hands together. "See that there tree over there? Round it and back. Here's a line ter start from."
Grinning broadly, Tim Sladder and Billy Musgrove took their places, an expressive wink from the latter indicating his confidence.
"All ready! One—two—three—go!"
At the word, the Stony Creek boys were off. Musgrove, with all the vim and determination at his command, struggled through the snow, and despite Sladder's most desperate efforts, his longer legs seemed to give him but little advantage.
"Go it, Sladder!" yelled Hackett. "Hi, hi! He'll never make it."
"That he won't!" grinned the trapper.
And now the two dark figures were approaching the turning-point.
"Keep it up, Tim!" encouraged Hackett, at the top of his voice.