of his canoe as a trophy. Thus they paddled away from the old home.

It was night when they reached the camp of the settlers on the Little
Mountain. The homeless people were busy with their evening meal, and,
sad though their case was, the aspect of things just then did not convey
the idea of distress. The weather was fine; camp-fires blazed
cheerfully lighting up bronzed and swarthy men, comely women, and
healthy children, with a ruddy glow, while merry laughter now and then
rose above the general hum, for children care little for unfelt
distress, and grown people easily forget it in present comfort. Ruined
though they were, many of them felt only the warmth of the hour.

There was a shout of welcome when Winklemann's canoe was observed
emerging from surrounding darkness, and a cheer burst from those who
first heard the glad news--"The old folk saved!" But that was a mere
chirp to the roar of congratulation that rang out when the little party
landed, and the rescuers strode into camp bearing the rescued in their
arms.

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.

A SURPRISING DISCOVERY--AND MORE.

When Ian Macdonald had seen his father's house fairly stranded on the
knoll, and had made it fast there with innumerable ropes, thin and
thick, as the Lilliputians secured Gulliver, he bethought him that it
was high time to visit the Little Mountain, to which his father had gone
on at that time, and inform him of the amazing fact.

Before setting off, however, common propriety required that he should
look in at Willow Creek in passing, not only to let them know what had
occurred, if they had not already observed it, but to ask if there was
any message for Mr Ravenshaw.

First releasing Peegwish, who now regarded him as a maniac, he embarked
with him in the punt, and rowed over.

It was by that time approaching the afternoon. Before that--indeed
before the house of Angus had gone afloat--Tony, Victor, and
Petawanaquat had gone off to the Little Mountain in search of Mr
Ravenshaw. Those of the family who remained behind had been so busy
about their various avocations, that no one had observed the sudden
removal of their neighbour's dwelling.

"Cora! quick! come here!" cried Elsie, in a tone that alarmed her
sister. "Am I dreaming?"

Cora looked out at the window, where the other stood as if petrified.
"Angus Macdonald's house on the knoll!" she screamed.

The scream brought her mother and Miss Trim hurriedly into the room.