"Corry," whispered Port, "let's get one before we come home."
"Father's got his gun by him, all ready, but he won't let us get ours out till we reach the lake. He may get a shot at something as he drives along."
There was a sharp lookout for all kinds of wild animals, after the way began to wind among the piny woods, and through the desolate-looking "clearings" left by the choppers. The road was found even better than Vosh's news had reported it, and the black team pulled their merry load along quite easily.
The young folk soon got over the solemn feeling which came upon them when they found themselves actually in the great forest.
It was delightful to shout, and listen for echoes; and to sing, and know there was not a living pair of ears to hear, except those in the sleigh, and Ponto's.
It was about two hours after they left the farmhouse, and Port had just remarked,—
"Seems to me we've been going up hill all the time," when Corry suddenly exclaimed,—
"There it is! That's Mink Lake. It'll be down hill all the way going home. See it!"
"Lake!" said Port. "I don't see any lake. Oh, yes, I do! It's all ice and snow,—frozen clean over."
"And we haven't seen a single deer yet," said Susie sorrowfully.