If we could have stayed in the tent the whole time it would not have been quite so bad . But we had to go out twice to take the ponies to the nearest pond and water them ; moreover , we had to collect pea vines for them , which was not an agreeable occupation in a pouring rain . The day was very cold too , but fortunately there was plenty of dead poplar right by our camp . We kept a good fire on in the camp stove and were quite dry and comfortable as long as we stayed inside . Even when we had to go out we did not get very wet , as we were well protected . But it was a long dreary day . Finally when the dark came down and supper was over Kate grew quite desperate . `` Let 's have a game of checkers , '' she suggested . `` Where is your checkerboard ? '' I asked . `` Oh , I 'll soon furnish that , '' said Kate . She cut out a square of brown paper , in which a biscuit box had been wrapped , and marked squares off on it with a pencil . Then she produced some red and white high-bush cranberries for men . A cranberry split in two was a king . We played nine games of checkers by the light of our smoky lantern . Our enjoyment of the game was heightened by the fact that it had ceased raining . Nevertheless , when morning came the trail was so drenched that it was impossible to travel on it . `` We must wait till noon , '' said Kate . `` That trail wo n't be dry enough to travel on for a week , '' I said disconsolately . `` My dear ; the chinook is blowing up , '' said Kate .
`` You do n't know how quickly a trail dries XXXXX a chinook .
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