File:My strange rescue, and other stories of sport and adventure in Canada (1895) (14784094075).jpg

Identifier: mystrangerescueo00oxleuoft (find matches)
Title: My strange rescue, and other stories of sport and adventure in Canada
Year: 1895 (1890s)
Authors: Oxley, James Macdonald, 1855-1907
Subjects:
Publisher: London T. Nelson
Contributing Library: Robarts - University of Toronto
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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e of it altogether, it isbetter to wait until fairly familiar with the use of theraquet (the French name for the snow-shoe) before joininga club. Let us imagine, then, that it is one of those gloriousnie-hts in midwinter when this dull old earth of ours seemstransformed into fairy-land. The snow lies in white depthsupon the ground, dry and firm as ocean sand ; Jack Frosthas brought the mercury away down some points belowzero, and the keen air sets every nerve a-tingle; a superbfull-orbed moon swings high in the heavens, flooding thewintry world with her silver splendour, and a hundredactive, muscular young fellows have gathered at the rendez-vous, clothed in white blanket coats with rainbow borders,brilliant blue sashes and tuques (conical knitted caps sacredto snow-shoeing), knickerbockers of the same material asthe coats, and stockings of the same colour as the sashes,while on their feet are soft moccasins skilfully decoratedby Indian fingers. Sharp on time the club captain arrives,
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THE START, 164 SNOW-SHOEING. and in a trice all hands are down upon their knees fasten-ing the raquets to their feet. Are you all ready ? shouts the captain. A heartychorus of Ay, ay, rings out on the keen air. Off, then ! he answers, striding rapidly away, his followers stringingout in a long line behind, for the walking is always donein Indian file, and they set forth to attack the mountain,which towers up so grandly behind the city, forming oneof the finest parks in the world. The line of march is made up very simply. The cap-tain, who is selected for that much-coveted position becauseof his renown for speed and endurance, as well as hisknowledge of the best routes, takes the lead. The rankand file follow^ in any order they please, and the rear isbrought up by the whipper-in. Although the post ofwhipper-in is not much coveted, that officer ranks next inimportance to the captain, and should be one of the strong-est and most experienced members in the club. His reallyarduous duties a

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