e how we're going to get these down to Timminsport unless we
walk down there," remarked Jack. "And a walk of five or six miles
through this snow each way wouldn't be an easy job."

"I know what we can do," replied Gif. "We can skate down the river to a
place called Henryville. There is a post-office there, and letters are
sent over to Timminsport at least once a day."

"How far is it to Henryville?" questioned Randy.

"Oh, not more than three miles."

"Do you suppose the skating is any good?"

"I don't see why it shouldn't be."

"Let's do it!" broke in Spouter. "We wanted to have a skate anyway. We
can take our guns along, in case we see any game." And so it was
arranged.

The next day dawned bright and clear, and after breakfast the boys got
their letters and their skates and started for the river.

"I'll wager we'll find the ice covered with snow in some places,"
remarked Randy.

"I don't know about that," answered Gif. "I was hoping the high wind had
swept it pretty clean."

They were soon on the ice, their skates ringing merrily as they struck
out into an impromptu race. They swept down the river and around a broad
bend, and were soon well out of sight of the tract of forest land upon
which the Lodge was located.

"I hope Glutts and Werner don't visit the bungalow during our absence,"
remarked Spouter.

"Well, that's a risk we've got to run," answered Jack. "We can't remain
at home all the time."

"Exactly so!" put in Gif. "And it would be no fun for some of us to stay
behind on guard while the others were off enjoying themselves."

For the most part they found the river swept clear of snow, although
here and there were drifts more or less deep over which they had to
plough their way as best they could. This, however, was nothing but fun
for the lads, and nobody complained.

Arriving at Henryville, they found that the mail for Timminsport would
go out in less than an hour, and also learned that the mail from that
place came in twice daily, morning and evening.

"Let's have all our mail re-addressed from Timminsport to Henryville,"
suggested Fred; "then we can come down here on our skates any time we
feel like it and get it." And this was done.

They found a fairly good general store at Henryville, and made a few
purchases of such things as they thought they could use to advantage
during their outing. They were about to start up the river again when
Jack's attention was attracted to a large slei