So they turned in the direction of the shore upon which was situated the town for which they were bound. The overhanging bank of the stream was fringed with bushes and trees and they skirted along just outside of these, keeping a sharp lookout for airholes and thin spots. “Don’t want a bath just now,” shivered Boxy. “No; a bath would just about do us up,” returned Andy. “As it is, I can hardly move along.” “We’ll be all right when we get to Barton Coils’ place,” called back Jack. “So don’t get faint-hearted, Andy.” On they went, with no sound breaking the stillness of the cold night save the grinding of the iceboat runners and their skates on the ice. Suddenly from out of the darkness among the trees which lined the farthest shore came a dismal howl that caused nearly every one to jump in alarm. “My gracious! what was that?” exclaimed Andy. “Dat mut be a ghost, suah!” cried Pickles, as he sprang away from the voice. “It’s the most unearthly sound I ever heard,” put in Harry. “And don’t you know what it is?” asked Jack, with a merry laugh. “No,” said Boxy. “What is it?” “Nothing more nor less than the bark of a fox. There it goes again.” “Goodness! I never knew a fox would get up such a dismal noise,” exclaimed Boxy. “Why, it’s enough to give one the creeps.” “Wait till you get into the woods on the other side of Rock Island Lake, and you’ll hear sounds to make your hair stand on end, I’ll warrant.” The barking continued for some time, and then came answering calls from several other locations. “They are tuning up to descend on some hen-roost, I imagine,” said Jack. “It’s a good way to get up their courage.” “I’d like to get a shot at one of them,” said Harry. “So would I,” burst out Boxy. “Can’t we get at them, Jack?” “It would take too long, I’m afraid. Andy couldn’t stand the waiting in the cold.” “Boxy and I might wait, and you fellows go on,” suggested Harry. “We will soon catch up with you.” “Yes, let’s do that,” burst in Boxy. The matter was talked over for a minute, and then it was agreed that Harry and Boxy should take the guns and remain behind a quarter of an hour, while the others pressed on for Rudd’s Landing, keeping close to the river bank they were now skirting. Seeing to it that the two guns were ready for use, the two would-be fox hunters set out across the river in the direction from which the first barks of the animals had proceeded. Meanwhile those on the _Icicle_ and the sled went ahead, and were speedily lost to view around a broad bend beyond. “It would be fine if we could get a fox apiece,” said Boxy, as they skated along close to one another. “We could keep the brushes as trophies.” “I guess we’ll be lucky if we get a good shot at one of them,” returned his companion. “Foxes are very sly chaps.” “Oh, I know that.” “Let us go up the river a bit, so as to get out of that wind. They can smell your scent if the wind is blowing from you to them.”