had cut several thousand feet more than the
figure given them. As they still had several days in which they might
work, it would figure up to nearly 50,000 extra feet of timber ready to
market.

One morning, Mr. Starr stood talking to his wife, when the children
came across the opening toward the school-room. Close upon the twins'
heels came the two cubs, stopping now and then to sniff at something on
the ground, then trying to run and catch up but falling over each other
in the attempt.

As the group came up to Mr. and Mrs. Starr, the former said, "Well,
children, our winter in the forest is almost over. Mumzie and I were
just talking about packing up for home."

"Home!" said Don, aghast.

"Oh, no!" added Dot.

"Yes, home," repeated Mr. Starr. "The rivermen will soon start the logs
down stream and there is nothing further to keep us here, but I am
needed at the other end."

"Oh, I was hoping we might live here until summer," said Lavinia,
regretfully.

"You are not homesick, then," smiled Mrs. Starr.

"Homesick! I should say not!" declared the children.

"Well, to tell the truth, children, I've had a most unusual winter of
enjoyment, but I shall be heartily glad to see my beautiful home again,"
said Mrs. Starr.

"So shall I," added Mrs. Latimer. "Camp life is fine for a few months,
but I have had enough to last me a long time. I want a porcelain bathtub
and electric lights for a change."

Everyone laughed, and the children went on to school, but the suggestion
made them all feel a bit homesick, though reluctant to leave the grand
old forests.

A few days later, Mrs. Starr and Mrs. Latimer began to pack their
various belongings, to have things in readiness to leave when the time
came.

Cookee also began packing the travelling outfit, for he would accompany
the men on the trip down the river. They would make a camp at a place
for a night or two, and then move on, as the large drift of logs
permitted.

A large case had been ordered from the town for the cubs, and it was
decided to put them in, nail slats across the top and ship them directly
to the park commissioner at Central Park, for the menagerie there.

CHAPTER X

AFLOAT ON THE RIVER RAFT

AS the milder weather settled down to stay, Don began thinking of the
river and the fun of watching the piled up logs gradually sink down into
the water, so he spoke to Dot about it.

"Let's go down to the river on Saturday morning and play," sugg