"I'm going to put mine on, anyway," said Dave.
"And so am I," added Hackett.
Seven pairs of the long shoes were extracted from the piles on the sleds, and the boys began to strap them on.
"Oh, but it feels funny," said Tom Clifton, as he stood upright. "Wow! Don't think I can manage to walk with them."
"Strike out, like a little man," said Hackett. "Here goes!"
He started off with great confidence, but the end of his shoe caught on the almost concealed edge of a stump, sending the long-legged youth floundering in the snow.
"Hi, hi! You struck something sure, 'Hatchet,'" exclaimed Tom, mischievously.
Hackett's face was very red, indeed, when he picked himself up.
"Talk about mean luck," he growled. "Quit your laughing, Tommy Clifton. Just watch me, I'll do better this time."
Hackett took the lead. Right after him came Dave Brandon, while Bob Somers and Nat Wingate trailed in the rear, all moving in an awkward fashion. But at length they mastered the new form of locomotion sufficiently well to make good progress.