They used birchbark canoes a great deal at Roaring Water Portage in the summer-time, but there was too much ice about for birchbarks to be safe yet.
"We will knock up a little shed for the boat above the portage this summer, then when next winter comes we can lay her up there, instead of having to bring her down here," he said to Miles, as the two discussed the probability of being able to get the boat up the portage within a week.
"Oh, don't talk of next winter, Father; we have not got rid of this one yet!" exclaimed Mrs.Burton, who was entirely happy and contented to-night, because of the omission of night school.
"It is going very fast anyhow, and I guess we shall see bare ground in places to-morrow," Miles put in, talking in a sleepy tone; for he too had been breaking out ice that day, and was desperately tired.
"Yes, it is going, and I'm glad of it, for it has been the hardest winter to live through that I can remember, and I'm thankful to see the last of it," 'Duke Radford answered; and something in his look and tone made Katherine ask quickly: "Don't you feel well to-night, Father ?" "Yes, I feel better than I have done for many a week past," he replied promptly; adding, in a tone too low for any but her to hear, "and happier too." "I believe you will feel better now, and get strong quickly," said Mrs.Burton hopefully.

"The winter had thoroughly gripped your system, and that was why you could not get better before." All night long the roar of the water seemed to grow louder and louder, while the ice crashed, and the wild wind howled through the leafless trees.

But the morning broke fine, and the sun came out to warm up a wet world.

Such a very wet world it was, with the river swollen to twice its ordinary width! But as Miles had predicted, there was bare ground visible, and to eyes which had looked on snow-covered earth for six long months the sight was welcome indeed.
When breakfast was over, Katherine and Miles ran the boat down to the water's edge, and floated it, getting in and paddling up and down to see that there was no leakage, and to enjoy the novel sensation after the long abstention from boating.

But there was work to be done, and they could not afford to spend even a part of the day in rowing for their own amusement.