"Yonder is the spot where we have so long been accustomed to resort for Pic-Nics," said Eve, pointing out a lovely place, that was beautifully shaded by old oaks, and on which stood a rude house that was much dilapidated, and indeed injured, by the hands of man.

CHAPTER IX A WINTER PIC-NIC Hal and Mab started off on their race so evenly that neither one was ahead of the other.

A few days after that Daddy Blake asked the children: "How would you like to go on a winter picnic?" "A winter pic-nic!" cried Hal.

That will be our winter pic-nic."

" "I hope it doesn't snow until we have our pic-nic on the ice," exclaimed Hal, as he jumped out of bed, and began to dress.

They had to get the meal and also put up the lunch for the printer pic-nic.

"Oh, we're going on a pic-nic, Mary!"

" "Well, do you like my little surprise?" asked Daddy Blake as they started off toward the lake, to hold their winter pic-nic.

Far up the Lutour valley, to the extreme left, the Pic de Labassa, or de la Sèbe (9781 ft.), and the Pyramide de Peyrelance (8800 ft.), completed the chief points of the scene in that direction; but far away in the opposite one we could easily see the Argelès valley and the Gothic church of Lourdes.

Behind us, seemingly facing the Cabaliros, were the Col de Riou (6375 ft.), our would-be destination, and the Pic de Viscos.

After a great amount of very rough and steep ascendingthe Pic de Gaube (7644 ft.)

Further in the same direction the familiar forms of the Pics d'Aubiste and Litouèse, and further yet, the Tour and Casque of the Gavarnie Cirque, stood out as snowy and as clear as the most eager sightseer could wish.

The greatest of all, and in truth the greatest in the Pyrenees, is the ascension of the Pic de Nethou (11,170 ft.), the highest of the range, and its two great buttresses, the Pics Maladetta (10,867 ft.)

Beyond this last-named building the gorge narrows and extends to the base of the Pic de Ger (8571 ft.).

The plateau is reached in one hour and a half, not without exertion, and the view over the Pic du Midi d'Ossau is considered wonderfully fine.

The Col de Gourzy and the lofty Pic of the same name tower above Eaux Chaudes, and a route to Eaux Bonneswhich to good pedestrians is well worth the exertionpasses over the former.

[Illustration: THE PIC DE GER.]

Ice and snow eternal on the various pics or aiguilles (as the summits are here called) which tower above your head, and yet in the midst of these belles horreurs the road is so well constructed, so smooth, and

This is delicious to eat cold, and is very useful for pic-nics.

Brawn for Pic-Nic.

A pic-nic party at the foot of Lake SuperiorCanoeSceneryDescent of St. Mary's FallsEtymology of the Indian names of Sault Ste.

I Went with a pic-nic to Gross Cape, a romantic promontory at the foot of Lake Superior.

We carried the elements of a pic-nic.

The custom on these occasions is to make up a pic-nic, in which each one contributes something in the way of cold viands or refreshments.

And perhaps in no country in the world could pic-nic holiday-makers or playful children with more perfect security of life and health stroll about or rest upon Earth's richly enamelled floor from sunrise to sunset on a summer's day.