"Great Scott, do you mean to say there could be enough swans--" "They sometimes cover the lake in thousands," said Wabi.

"I have seen them whitening the water as far as one could see." "More swan as you count in twent' t'ous'nd year!" affirmed Mukoki.
After a few moments he added, "Them no swan.

Ice!" There was an unpleasant ring in his voice as he spoke the last word, and though Rod did not fully understand what significance the discovery held for them he could not but observe that it occasioned both of his comrades considerable anxiety.

The cause was not long in doubt.

Another half hour of brisk paddling brought them to the edge of a frozen field of ice that extended for a quarter of a mile from the shore.