“Aye,” said Thomas, “I were thinkin’ that too, and the lads will be glad enough to lend you a hand when you needs un.”

It was broad daylight.  While Thomas and Doctor Joe talked on the beach, the boys had been busily engaged in carrying the day’s supply of water from Roaring Brook to a water barrel in the porch.  Now Jamie appeared to announce breakfast.  While they ate the boys were able to talk of little else than the scout books, and the fact they were to do as boys did in other parts of the world.  And they were delighted beyond measure when they learned that they were to make the voyage to Fort Pelican with Doctor Joe.  It was an event of vast importance.

“There’ll be plenty o’ time in the boat to study the scout book things,” Andy suggested.  “Maybe now we could learn to be scouts before we gets back home.”

“I’ve no doubt you can pass all the tenderfoot tests while we’re away,” said Doctor Joe.  “And since you’re to take me about with dogs and komatik this winter when I go to visit sick people, there’ll be no end of chances to show what good scouts you are.”

“To take you about?” asked Andy excitedly.

Then Thomas must needs explain that they must do their share in looking after the sick folk, and that David and Andy were to be Doctor Joe’s dog drivers when winter came.

“’Twill be fine to manage the dogs for you, sir!” exclaimed David, turning to Doctor Joe.

“Wonderful fine!” echoed Andy.

“And will you be goin’ outside the Bay?” asked David.

“Aye, outside the Bay and in it, wherever there’s need to go,” said Doctor Joe.

“‘Twill be tryin’ and hard work sometimes,” suggested Thomas, “travellin’ when the weather’s nasty, but I’m not doubtin’ the lads’ll be able t’ manage un.”

“We’ll manage un!” David declared with pride in the confidence placed in him and Andy.

To drive dogs on these sub-arctic trails in fair weather and foul calls for courage and grit, and the lads felt justly proud of the responsibility that had been laid upon them.  There would be many a shift to make on the ice, they knew.  There would be blinding blizzards and withering arctic winds to face, and no end of hard work.  But these lads of The Labrador loved to stand upon their feet like men and face and conquer the elements like hardy men of courage.  This is the way of boys the world over—­eager for the time when they may assume the responsibility of manhood.  Such a time comes earlier to the lads of The Labrador than with us.  In that stern land there is no idling and there are no holidays, and every one, the lad as well as his father, must always do his part, which is his best.