when the wind is blowing great guns. Then there'll be the mischief to
pay. But I hope it won't be any one of you boys."

Each and every one of them solemnly declared that he was firmly resolved
to be unusually careful.

Finally they reached the cabin.

In the afternoon Old Jim skinned the three musquash, and showed the boys
how he fastened the hides on stretching boards, which would cause them
to retain their shape while they dried.

"We never put skins in the sun or near a fire to dry," he observed,
seeing that most of the boys were anxious to learn all they could. "The
best way is to stand 'em in the shade where the breeze can play on 'em.
But, of course, you mustn't let the pelts get wet while they're drying."

Sure enough, Jim cut up the musquash, and gave evidences of satisfaction
at finding them so plump.

As the afternoon began to wane Bandy-legs surprised his chums by actually
volunteering to go out and gather wood for the fire.

This was really such an unusual occurrence that Max surveyed the other
curiously as he passed out.

He wondered if Bandy-legs, generally quite lazy, had seen the error of
his ways and meant to reform.

It appeared that Max was not the only one who thought this action odd,