But we stowed them on the sledge for
use on Lake Placid.
On the Tuesday morning following Christmas we made the start. Bill in the
scooter canoe and Dutchy in the scooter scow sailed up the river, and the
rest of us, on snow shoes, took the tow path of the canal, hauling the
sledge along. We carried provisions for a week and a good supply of
blankets. The island was reached without mishap, except that Dutchy had to
be helped several times in dragging the heavy scow around the rapids. Bill
reached the island long before we did, and after unloading the canoe came
racing back under a stiff breeze for a second load. Then he took his turn
at hauling the sledge, while Reddy sailed the reloaded scooter canoe up to
the island.
Willow Clump Island in Winter.
We brought no tent with us, as we expected to take up our quarters in the
straw hut. When we reached the hut we hardly recognized it. It was almost
completely covered with snow and looked like an Eskimo house. The snow had
drifted well up over the north side, completely closing the entrance. We
had to set to work at once with a shovel and open up a passageway, and
then we had to shovel out a large pile of snow that had drifted into the
hut from the open doorway.
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