But they made it stronger than ever with cross-poles.

Ingenious Sol cut up the bear hide, and made of it stout leggings for them all, which would serve in the place of boots for wading in the deep snow.
Then the camp returned to its wonted calm.

But a few days later, Shif'less Sol, who had been unusually grave, called Paul aside and asked him to walk with him up the path to the hickory trees.

When they arrived there, far out of hearing of the others, Shif'less Sol said: "Do you know what day this is, Paul ?" "Why, no, Sol," replied Paul.

"What does it matter ?" "It matters a heap," said Shif'less Sol, not departing one whit from his grave manner.