WINTER CAMP 41

cut boughs, the other unwrapped the tent and
stove and packed snow into the pans in readiness
for supper requirements. We tramped down the
snow and piled spruce-boughs a foot deep upon it,
and over this carpet the tent was pitched. Within
an hour we were placing the food-boxes and
dunnage in the tent. The stove roared, and showers
of sparks fled up the chimney. On the open lid of
the grub-box two candles flickered. Gratefully we
stretched our weary bodies upon the springy boughs
to enjoy a long-anticipated smoke.

After a while we went out to dig a connecting
trench through the snow between the tent and the
trail. The dogs were lying motionless beneath their
respective trees; eight pairs of eyes turned to look
at us as we emerged. A big, pale moon was hanging
in mid-air between the dark ranks of the spruce;
the trail ran like a silver ribbon through them and
out into the distance. The sky was delicately tinted
with grey and pink and blue. The snow lay faintly
blue beneath it.

Suddenly the dogs stirred, and before long they
were all on their feet, sniffing the cold air. The
Indian was coming back along the trail; his sleigh
was not empty. His dogs were trotting in spite of
the load, and our own greeted them with barks
and yaps and a great rattling of chains: supper had