68 FOUn-FOOTED AMERICANS 



"No, but I've alwa3"s wanted to live in the woods 

 the way you do ; but you see woods are too far away 

 from people for mother to get any washing to do." 



" Never you mind," said Nez, '' after the hrst snow 

 you come up and stop with me a spell, and 1*11 show you 

 how to git some Rabbits and a Grouse or two for your 

 mammy, when I've got my ]\luskrat and ]\link traps 

 set. Tliere's no big game hereabouts, at least none 

 bigger than a Fox or a Porkipine, a Goon or maybe a 

 couple o' AVild Cats strayin' about. But you can see 

 how the night comes in the woods, and I'd learn you 

 the tracks of some o' the fur beasts. If we get good 

 deep snow down along the river medders, Til show you 

 how to walk on snow-shoes, too ; maybe it'll come in 

 handy some day." 



" I couldn't learn that on account of my leg, but Nat 

 could, and he'd love it," said Rap, cheerfully. 



"Dinner, dinner," called the Doctor, "and stories 

 afterward. Dodo is very anxious to see you open the 

 mud pies, Nez." 



" Come and sit on the cushions under this nice wind 

 break," said Olive, going to the lean-to that Nez had 

 made of the hemlock boughs. " Here are your plates 

 and cups, — you be waiter, Nat, and take them to Uncle 

 Jack." 



" What do you call your camp, Nez ? " asked Mr. 

 Blake. 



" Settledown," said Nez, laughing, "'cause Ave've set- 

 tled here nigh tAvo years." 



" Bill of Fare for Dinner at Camp Settledown, served 

 by Chef Jacque," called INIr. Blake. " Ham and eggs, 

 potatoes in jackets, frying-pan bread, roast Grouse with 



