198 FOUR-FOOTED AMERICANS 



of the hot porridge with their spoons, as eagerly as 

 Dominique and Phonse. 



'' Isn't it good ? " said Rap, as he neared the bottom 

 of the bowL " Scrape, scrape, scrape," said Nat's 

 spoon for answer. 



■^ "^ "51^ ■^ "^ 



Tlie bo3^s were very much disappointed at tlie con- 

 dition of the snow that morning. The wind had blown 

 all night and drifted it so badly that tlie hills were 

 quite bare, and coasting was impossible, while some of 

 the little liollows were full. 



"In my day coasting never amounted to anything 

 before Cliristmas," said the Doctor ; '' these early snow 

 flurries seldom lie evenly. One thing, Nat, if Xez Avill 

 lend you a pair of snow-shoes and show you how to use 

 tliem, you can practise nicely down there at the foot of 

 the slope." 



"I should thiidv I could walk on them witliout being 

 taught how," said Nat. " The snow-shoes Toinette 

 showed me yesterday looked something like tennis 

 rackets with toe loops and ankle-ties to keep tliem on. 

 Sliding along with them would be just as easy as any- 

 thing." 



'' So you think. If 3^ou succeed in walking ten steps 

 on them to-day, you shall have a pair of your own. We 

 seldom liave snow, down at the farm, deep enough to 

 make such things necessary, though 3^ou might find 

 them useful in going to school some morning after a 

 storm before- the roads are broken," said Mr. Blake, 

 looking at the Doctor with a twinkle in his eye, which 

 however Nat did not notice. 



Soon the}^ went out to the shed to have a more par- 



