nds too civilized. Now, does that old
fireplace look civilized? And that iron crane, and those twisted rustic
seats in the corner, and that bed out there big enough to accommodate
twenty fellows? It reminds me of a home the old Vikings must have had
long ago, way up in the great pine woods of Northern Europe. Someway, it
has a look of health and strength about it that I like. Don't you see the
smile on that old fire-box? Can't you hear the happy peasant children
gathered there on that hearth singing their woodland songs and drinking
their mugs of warm soup? Then, over yonder, all stretched out, his head
to the fire, lies a great, gaunt dog, tired from the chase. Then the tap,
tap on the wooden floor of the old woman's cane as she hobbles about
the cabin. Can't you smell the bear haunch that's roasting there on that
long spit before the fire? Don't you hear the merry music of the ax, just
outside the door, as brawny arms swing it, cutting the great backlog for
the long night? Civilized? Yes, in a way, but not in our way, is it? But
what are we going to call this cabin?"

Willis had slipped out a few minutes before and had wandered up the
canyon to the last point from which the cabin could be seen. There he
stopped and turned to survey the valley. The air was clear and cool and
was completely filled with the fragrant murmuring of the pines. Far down
in a vista of shifting lights and shadows stood the cabin.

The next week brought the first signs of the approaching winter. The
warm fall rains gave way to cold showers. The leaves fell in countless
millions, and the voices of the feathered folk seemed to have blown away
with the autumn leaves. Heavy white mists hung over the mountains,
lifting occasionally to show curious eyes that the lofty summits were
already being painted white. The grass lost its fresh, green color, and
the wild purple asters dropped their lovely heads and slept. The first
real snow came in the night.

The desire to go to the cabin on the part of a large number of healthy,
stalwart boys was matched against a foot of fluffy snow. The fact that
they had not seen the new, completed bunk-house, nor the fireplace, added
greatly to their intense desire to go. Added to this was the natural
boyish love for possible adventure, so, of course, it was decided to go,
snow or no snow.

Twenty strong, they were on hand at the appointed hour. Soft shirts had
given way to sweaters, outing shoes to high boots or leggi