Blanche's boarding house, where Mr. Waterman had
made arrangements for keeping their "store" clothes while they were out
in the woods. They were shown upstairs and in a short time, the boys
were getting into their real wool suits. Mr. Waterman brought in the
shoepacks that he had made for them according to the measurements he had
taken previously. All fitted nicely, though Mr. Waterman looked over
them carefully.

"It pays to be sure that your shoepacks are right," said Mr. Waterman,
"for they are the real boots for use in canoeing trips. They should be
comfortable."

"Are these waterproof?" asked Bob. "Father told me that his shoepacks
were tight as a drum and that he stepped right out of the canoe into the
water whenever he wanted to."

"That's right," replied Mr. Anderson. "It is possible that they may leak
just a little the first two days until the seams swell, but after that
they will be just as dry as rubber boots."

This information caused Bill and Pud to look at their shoepacks with
more care. They were both anxious to try them out. Finally, they were
ready for the woods, with everything unnecessary put away at Madame
LaBlanche's. Their sleeping bags, extra shirts, moccasins, etc., were
in their dunnage bags and all of these were piled outside the door on
the porch.

"We still have about a half hour before lunch so let us go over to the
store, as I want you all to meet Sandy MacPherson, the owner," said Mr.
Waterman. "Sandy is the big man of this village. He runs the big saw
mill, owns the store and manages scores of lumbermen in the winter when
the trees are cut many miles up the valleys. He's a good man to know as
everybody here does as he says. In addition, he talks English and that
helps when one cannot talk French very well."

They all went over to the store and found it the center of male society
at least for the village. Several men were gathered there while others
came and went, buying things in the store, which was quite a large store
for such a small village. Sandy seemed delighted to meet the boys.

"I'm delighted to meet you, boys," said he. "You're in for a fine time
if you're going into the woods with Mr. Waterman. If you get in trouble,
just call on me."

The boys thanked him for his good wishes and after taking a look at the
big saw mill, they went back to the boarding house.

"Fill up, boys, as this is the last meal you'll eat in a house for some
time," said Mr. Anderson.

"That's a