“We must push on ahead--it’s our only salvation,” added Harry. “If we keep on in a straight line we are bound to fetch up somewhere sooner or later.” “We may walk clean up to the upper end of the lake,” said Andy, in a low voice. He was too exhausted to speak louder. “Well, that would be better than remaining here,” replied his big brother. “Come, fellows, brace up and put your best leg forward,” he went on, in an effort to cheer up their lagging spirits. Pulling and pushing the sled as best they could, they attacked the huge drift before them. In a couple of minutes they were on the other side. All had had tumbles, but to these they paid no attention. “By golly! but I would give all I kin rake an’ scrape togedder to be in a warm kitchen jess about now!” puffed Pickles. “My two feet dun got froze as stiff as two chunks ob ice!” “We’re all in the same boat,” replied Boxy. “I can scarcely drag one foot after the other.” “And I feel like sitting down and going to sleep,” put in Andy. “Let us rest.” “No! no!” rejoined his elder brother, quickly. “If you rested and went off into a doze you would never wake up again. We must keep on by all means!” And on they pressed, slowly and painfully, growing more weary at every step. The snow and wind continued, and it grew steadily darker. Would that awful trip across the lake never come to an end? At last, when they were about ready to give up in despair, Harry, in advance of all the rest, gave a joyous little shout. “The shore, boys!” “Where? where?” they cried out in chorus, and clustered around him. “Just off to our right. We have been walking along within fifty feet of it.” “Gracious, you don’t mean it!” exclaimed Boxy. “True enough, boys; come on to land and get a fire started!” Boxy set off as fast as he could on skates through the snow. The others followed, Jack and Pickles dragging the sled. They were soon off the lake and huddled in a group behind a number of trees and bushes, which afforded a fair shelter from the wind and snow. Here they paused to catch their breaths and gaze around them. “I imagine we are at least a mile above the spot we struck out for,” observed Jack. “But that doesn’t matter, so long as we have crossed the lake in safety. What shall we do, light a fire or hunt a place to camp for the night first?” “Let’s light a fire and get warmed up,” answered Andy. “I am sure none of us can do much in our present condition.” His idea was warmly seconded by the others, and soon a heap of brush was collected in a convenient spot and set on fire. They drew up to it as close as they dared, and warmed their chilled bodies. The sled load was again attacked, and crackers and cut-up smoked beef passed around. It was wonderful what appetites all hands had whenever the least sign of a meal appeared. It seemed they could eat all the time.