It was no easy matter to start work in the deep snow which lay on all sides of the hut, but they went at it with a will, Boxy whistling cheerfully, and Pickles singing merrily as he washed the dishes and pots. More poles and brush were cut, and Jack, who had seen the thing done by hunters along the coast, showed how the brush could be twisted, one branch into another, until the sides of the hut were as tight as a wicker basket. They were braced by the poles, and then banked up on the outside, first by more brush and leaves, and then by snow. After the sides were finished, the roof was overhauled and made much tighter than before. The number of poles on the top were increased, until all was as solid as a city house. “Now we’ve got a hut worth living in,” cried Harry, as he surveyed the work done. “That will stay there for several seasons if not torn down by human hands.” “It’s a pity we are not going to stay longer,” grumbled Boxy. “Three days gone already!” “But three days are not two weeks,” said Andy, cheerfully. The hut finished, they tackled the fireplace. A dozen flat stones were sought for and found, and Jack showed them how a regular oven could be constructed. The uprights and the cross pole which had been used previously were allowed to remain, with the pot suspended over them, full of water. “It’s a good thing to have hot water any time you want it,” observed Andy, and the others agreed with him. By this time it was two o’clock, and they lost no time in preparing to go on the hunt. “How Pete Sully and the others would envy us if they knew how nicely we were situated,” observed Boxy. “I’ll bet they were mad when we left them to shift for themselves on the ice,” put in Andy. “We’ll have an account to settle with them when we get home.” “That’s so, but I’m not going to worry,” returned Harry. “Come on, fellows, let us see what we can start up between now and sundown.” And all together they started off on a hunt that was to be one of the most perilous of the whole outing. CHAPTER XVIII. CHASED BY WOLVES. After some discussion it was decided to follow the course of the creek upon which they had pitched their camp. This would aid them in several ways. It would prevent them from going astray and getting lost, and traveling was easier there than in among the trees and brush. Moreover, Jack was of the opinion that they would find more game along the creek side than elsewhere. Every one was in excellent spirits, and had it not been for a warning from Harry, Boxy and Pickles would have started to sing and whistle. “We will never get anything unless you remain quiet,” he said. “It is hard enough to stalk anything without a dog.” “Oh, I ought to have brought Leo,” burst out Boxy. “But Minnie wouldn’t hear of it. She said it was bad enough for me to go, without taking him.” “Leo isn’t a hunting dog, is he?” questioned Andy. “A kind of one. He hasn’t been trained very well.”