it will be one of the worst storms we ever had
up here," he announced. "But, somehow, I don't think it will last; the
sky didn't look heavy enough this afternoon."

"I hope it doesn't last," returned Jack.

"We don't want to be snowed in while we are up here," added Randy. "We
want to have a chance to hunt."

To make progress against the fury of the elements was not easy, but
presently the boys heard Uncle Barney give a cry of satisfaction.

"Here we are, lads, in sight of the island!" exclaimed the old
lumberman. "Now it won't be long before we reach that shelter I
mentioned."

By the aid of the two flashlights, the boys made out a number of trees
and bushes ahead. The bushes were covered thickly with snow, and behind
them were sharp rocks, also outlined in white.

"This is what I call Squirrel Point," explained the old lumberman. "It
used to be a great place for squirrels."

"How much further to that shelter?" queried Fred. Just then he took no
interest whatever in game. He was so tired he could scarcely place one
foot in front of the other; and, to tell the truth, his cousins were
little better off.

"We've got only a couple of hundred feet to go," was the reply. "Come
ahead. I'll help you pull that bobsled," and now Uncle Barney took hold,
and once again they started forward, this time skirting the lower
extremity of Snowshoe Island. Here there were a great number of pines
and hemlocks growing amid a perfect wilderness of rocks, now all thickly
covered with snow.

"Now you'll have a little climbing to do," announced the old lumberman a
few minutes later. "You might as well take off your skates, and I'll do
the same. And we'll have to hoist that bobsled up the best we know how."

He had turned toward the island, and soon they were climbing up over the
rough rocks and pulling the bobsled after them. In one spot they had to
raise the sled up over their heads. The old lumberman assisted them in
this task, and then pointed to a small, cleared space between a number
of pines.

"Hurrah! I see the hut!" cried Jack in delight, and ran forward,
followed by his cousins. Uncle Barney came with them, and an instant
later had forced open a rude door. Then one of the lights was flashed
inside.

The boys and Uncle Barney had expected to find the little cabin vacant.
Consequently they were much surprised when they heard a queer little
noise, not unlike the snarl of a dog.

"By gum! it's a wolf!" ejaculated the old