Homesteading 



thing is rather noticeable at such times, viz. that 

 as many have left older countries some time, they 

 are prone to think of them as they knew them ; 

 and as we were on this occasion largely drawn 

 from Britain, it was not easy for men who had 

 left the old land some ten or fifteen years to 

 realize that great changes had taken place there 

 within that time, not only in political matters, 

 but even in the ways of the people. 



Presently we all lent a hand to turn the little 

 living-room of the shack into a banqueting-hall 

 for the fifteen to eighteen guests gathered there. 

 Needless to add that the turkey, chickens, roast 

 beef, and plum-puddings disappeared with mar- 

 vellous celerity. During the short afternoon, 

 and while the ladies were clearing away the wreck 

 of the feast, some sport on ski was enjoyed, and 

 later came another famous meal in the shape 

 of supper, which was followed by a jolly evening, 

 during which we enjoyed songs, stories, conjuring, 

 and thought-reading, and similar social pastimes. 

 As the hour drew towards midnight we broke 

 up, and wrapping ourselves up well, took the 

 trail for home. It was a brilliant night, one of 

 those glorious occasions when the moon and star- 

 light, combined with the snow, create a glow 

 whose peculiar radiance and softness made the trip 

 one to be remembered in spite of the intense cold. 



198 



