THE COUNTRY IN WINTER 



carrying provisions to the fisherman's hut just off the 

 shore. But the result reminds one of an old Dutch 

 painting in cool grays. What is that curious mode of 

 locomotion just appearing out of the haze from the op- 

 posite shore? A man is standing on a low sled and 

 pushing himself along by means of a stake furnished 

 with a spike in the end. It would seem like slow work, 

 but he gets over the ice at quite a good pace, and I sup- 

 pose it must be easier than walking on that slippery 

 surface. Another inventive genius sits upon his sled 

 and propels it with two spiked broomsticks. 



Flashing across the landscape with dazzling sail and 

 shining spars, glides a small ice boat with its merry 

 crew of two. Back and forth it tacks and turns, keep- 

 ing a keen outlook for the water holes. From my cozy 

 corner I contemplate it with delight, and am grateful 

 to the unconscious merrymakers for giving me so agree- 

 able a prospect. 



Who without experience could believe that the small 

 wooden triangle with its steel runners and its two sails, 

 could hold within its narrow quarters such possibilities 

 17 257 



