“Does un pain much?” asked Dan, sympathetically. “You bet it does,” and Paul winced. “Where is un hurtin’ most now?” “Here, and here,” indicating his hips, groins and calves. “Lift un feet--higher.” “Oh! Ouch!” “Why weren’t you sayin’ so, now? ’Tis sure th’ snowshoe ailment, an’ not just stiffness. Mr. Amesbury’d not be goin’ on, an’ you havin’ that.” “I thought it was just stiffness, and would wear off if I kept going. Besides, I didn’t want to be a baby and complain.” “’Tis no stiffness. ’Tis th’ snowshoe ailment, an’ ’twould get worse, an’ no better, with travelin’. ’Tis wonderful troublesome sometimes. Dad says if you gets un, stop an’ camp where you is, an’ bide there till she gets better. ’Tis th’ only way there is, Dad says, t’ cure un.” “I never heard of it before.” “Now I’ll be pitchin’ th’ tent, an’ you sits on th’ flat-sled an’ keeps still.” “Oh, I’d freeze if I sat down. I’d rather help.” They had just got the tent up and a roaring fire in the stove when Amesbury and Ahmik came for toboggans upon which to haul the meat to camp. “I’m thinkin’,” said Dan, “we’ll have t’ be bidin’ here a bit. Paul’s havin’ th’ snowshoe ailment bad.” “What’s the trouble, Paul?” asked Amesbury. Paul explained. “Why, you’re suffering from _mal de raquet_. Dan’s right; we must stay here till you’re better--a day or two will fix that. Mustn’t try to travel with _mal de raquet_. It’s a mighty uncomfortable companion.” At the end of two days, however, Paul was in fairly good condition again, and the journey was resumed without further interruption, save twice they were compelled by storms to remain a day in camp. Two weeks had elapsed since leaving the post when finally, late one afternoon, Amesbury shouted back to the lads: “Come along, fellows. We’re here at last.” Ahmik had stopped and was shoveling snow with one of his snowshoes from the door of a low log cabin, half covered with drifts. It was situated in the center of a small clearing among the fir trees which looked out upon the white frozen expanse of South Indian Lake. “This is our castle,” Amesbury announced as Paul and Dan joined him. “Here we’re to live in luxurious comfort. That’s the southern extremity of Indian Lake. What do you think of it?” “’Tis a wonderful fine place t’ live in if th’ trappin’s good,” said Dan. “It looks mighty good to me. What a dandy place it must be in summer!” Paul exclaimed.