Page:Adrift in the Pacific, Sampson Low, 1889.djvu/93

Rh done; and with four of the bigger boys dragging it by cords attached to its legs, the departure was made to Trap Woods.

The little ones, with red noses and healthy cheeks, frisked along in front, and Fan set them the example. Occasionally they caught hold of the table, not without disputes and running fights, but all in fun, and at the risk only of a fall, which could do them no harm. Their shouts resounded with extraordinary clearness in the cold, dry atmosphere. And, in truth, it was quite refreshing to see all the little colony in good humour and good health.

Everything was white as far as the eye could see between Auckland Hill and Family Lake. The trees, with their rimy branches loaded with glittering crystals, rose near and far in masses, as in a faery garden. Over the surface of the lake the birds flew in flocks. Donagan and Cross had not forgotten to bring their guns with them — a wise precaution, for footprints were noticed that must have been made by other wild animals than jackals, cougars, and jaguars.

"Perhaps they are the wild cats they call 'pajeros,' " said Gordon.

"Oh!" said Costar, shrugging his shoulders, "if they are only cats — "

"And tigers are only cats," said Jenkins.

"Is it true, Service," asked Costar, "that these cats are dangerous?"

"Quite true," said Service. "And they scrag little boys as easily as they do mice."

And the answer made Costar rather uneasy.

The half-mile between French Den and Trap Woods was soon accomplished, and the young wood-cutters got to work. The axe was only laid to such trees as were of a certain size; these were stripped of their smaller branches, so as to yield not only faggots which would blaze away in a moment, but good-sized blocks that would come in useful for the stoves and range. Then the table-sledge was heavily loaded, but it slipped