e going back and forth
between Mr. Allen and Mr. Dean, but he was sure he could count on both of
them, for they liked real fun as well as any of the boys.

"The hunters then move down the canyon in a skirmish line, thrashing the
bushes with their pine boughs. As they advance the birds will awaken with
a shrill little peep and scuttle off through the bushes down the canyon
and directly toward the trappers. The birds take just little flights at a
time, so you must keep them moving or they will swarm and fly away in a
panic. If a flock panic on you, you might as well quit, for every bird in
the canyon will follow. You see this is the game: snowbirds live on
little bugs that are found in great numbers around the great Northern
Lights. When they see those candles flickering there in the great white
quiet, the snow reflecting the long rays out between the dark tree
trunks, they think it's the northern lights, and fly straight toward the
candle. All the trapper has to do, then, is to take them in his hand and
bag them. Sometimes they come in such great numbers that they fairly
swarm into the bag. When each trapper has enough, he puts his mouth close
to the snow and halloos to the drivers. At the signal they stop hunting
and come into camp. Fun, why it's the most fun I ever had in my life! The
foolish little birds are so easily caught. You see, instead of getting
out and hustling for their food, they think it will all be provided for
them by kind Providence or others," and Ham smiled.

"Did you ever eat quail on toast in some of these stylish restaurants?"
queried Fat, who had caught onto the game. "Well, all in the world they
are is snowbirds. I suppose there are any number of fellows who make a
living by just that trick."

A general discussion followed. Every one was ready and anxious for the
hunt to commence. Candles were gotten ready and a shovel found. Ham took
Phil, Fat, and Mr. Dean to help him find some sacks that were supposedly
down in the gulch, but in reality to explain to them just what he wanted
them to do. My, what a laugh they did have when they reached the open.
Fat was instructed to offer his services as the holder of one bag and to
suggest that Sleepy hold the other. They would plant Sleepy first, then
Fat would go on with the bunch. Mr. Dean and Ham would hide themselves in
the brush on either side of Sleepy. Fat would instruct his crowd what was
to be done, and Phil would take charge of the other group. Th