at all events.




CHAPTER VI


In their rambles through this little Arctic fairy land, Tom noticed that
the squirrels were now busy every day running away to their holes with
nuts and leaves. Of course they might have young ones to feed, he
thought; but surely it was something more than this which made them act
thus.

Creeping all alone one morning through the bushes, as quietly as a mouse,
Tom came upon a sight which taught him a useful lesson. For high up in
the trunk of an old tree was a big round hole with a squirrel's tail
hanging out. Presently up ran another squirrel, carrying a great mouthful
of leaves and clay.

The new-comer made a slight noise, when out came No. 1 and took the
bundle from No. 2, which then darted off for more.

"Ho! ho!" said Tom to himself, "they seem to be storing up food for
winter. Heigho! I thought it would always be summer in this fairyland.
But thank you, Master Squirrel, I shall go and do the same." So off went
Tom to tell Frank and the girls what he had seen the squirrels doing.

"As there is no sign of the ship coming back for us, children," he said
somewhat seriously, "and we may have to spend the winter here, I think,