ere swept away
last night by the force of the ice somewhere above the mission premises,
and that about sixty people slept in the church."

"It is well that our house stands high," said Mrs Ravenshaw. "Don't
you think, Sam, that we might have the barn prepared, in case some of
our neighbours have to leave their houses?"

"The barn is ready, mother," said Elsie. "Father and I have been
arranging it all the morning with the aid of Peegwish, poor fellow, who
has been sent to us by Macdonald."

"Ay, and it's as trim as an hospital," added Mr Ravenshaw; "but I hope
it won't be wanted. The ice is now clearing away. When it is gone, the
river will be sure to fall.--Tell the boy to saddle the horse, Cora,"
continued the old gentleman, attacking his fourth egg. "I shall ride up
to see how Winklemann gets on. Lambert is helping him."

"Is Lambert's own house safe?" asked Elsie, with a glance at her sister.

"Safe enough just now," replied her father; "for it stands much higher
and further back."

"Don't forget old Liz Rollin," said Elsie. "Her hut stands high, but if
things get worse she will be in danger, and there is no one to look
after her, you know."

"No fear of my forgetting the mother of the man who is helping to search
for my dear boy," returned Ravenshaw, "besides, old Liz is not without
friends. Both Louis and Winklemann have promised to keep their eyes on
her."

This reference to the mother of Michel Rollin turned the thoughts of the
party into a channel that was very familiar, for the lost Tony and his
brother were seldom absent from their thoughts. Of late, however, they
had ceased to talk much of the absent ones, because, as months flew by
without any tidings, their anxieties increased, and as their fears
increased they felt less inclined to talk hopefully. Long before the
breaking up of the ice Mr Ravenshaw had sent off an expedition at his
own cost in search of the searchers. It consisted of a trusty Indian
and two half-breeds. They were to cross the plains towards the
Saskatchewan district, and make inquiries among the fur-traders there;
but nothing had yet been heard of them, and although the face and figure
of Tony were never absent from the old man's memory, his name was not
now so frequently on his lips.

A sigh from Miss Trim revealed clearly the nature of _her_ thoughts.
Poor Miss Trim! Her occupation was almost gone since Tony's
disappearance. Besides losing the terrible and specif