CHAPTER XVI 



A Winter Walk 



ONE afternoon late in December Ben and 

 I tied on our snowshoes and went for a tramp. 



Although it was only December, there had 

 been several heavy snows, with some sharp 

 freezes, so that the old earth had the appear- 

 ance of midwinter. 



It was fine snowshoeing, there being just 

 crust enough to hold us up so that we glided 

 along easily. 



" It has always been a wonder to me," said 

 Ben, as we shuffled along, " how the wild crea- 

 tures can take such good care of themselves 

 in the extreme cold. 



" A tiny field mouse or a bit of a wood- 

 pecker can keep warm and provide for their 

 daily wants where you and I would freeze and 

 starve. 



