along on skates." His greatest fear was
approaching the commencement of the channel or river which communicated
with Lake Huron, where, as the stream was rapid, the ice probably was
not formed, and their destruction would be nearly inevitable. The
dangerous point was to the right of their course; he therefore naturally
inclined to the left. "I wish we were there," said Charley at length,
in a doleful tone. On they went; the pace became slower and slower; the
youngest brother kept very close to Philip. "Really I think we might do
better without our skates," observed Charley; but Philip judged rightly
that skates would still avail them most. They went on--on--on. Harry
declared that they ought to have reached home long before this. Philip
thought so likewise, but did not express his fears; it was important to
keep up his brothers' spirits. Had there been a strong wind he might
have continued to keep on a straight course; but there was not a breath,
and the snow came down from all directions, as Harry observed, "just as
if a flock of geese were being plucked overhead." The flakes were
almost as big as feathers. In vain Philip looked out for a break in the
thick woolly veil. Brave Charley kept up manfully; his legs were
getting very tired, though. He said nothing; but he could not help
uttering low sighs as he worked on, and wishing that he had a pair of
wings to lift up his body. No one could speak except about their hopes
or fears.

At last Charley felt that his knees were failing under him. "O, Phil, I
must stop," he cried out.

Philip took him by the hand and cheered him up. "Hold out a little
longer, dear Charley; we must be near the shore," he exclaimed. Charley
said he would try, and supported on each hand by his brothers went on.
He was again nearly giving in, when Philip cried out, "Land a-head!--
land a-head! High land with tall trees close down to the lake. It must
be near home."

They pushed on vigorously. In less than a minute they ran up against a
rock; the tall trees changed into low bushes, and the high land into a
clump of trees in the middle of a small island. Bitter was their
disappointment. A moment's consideration made Philip and Harry certain
that it was an island they had visited at the southern end of the lake,
and three or four miles distant both from their own and D'Arcy's
clearings. On examining the bark of the trees, and the direction in
which they bent, they were convi