ve only caught little things like _that_; there's
no rabbits in the snares--I looked at every one this mornin'--and, as
for deer, they seem to have said good-bye for the winter. I thought of
goin' out with the gun this forenoon, but I think it a'nt o' no use, for
I was out all yesterday without seeing a feather or a hoof-print."

The tone in which Roy said this, and the manner in which he flung
himself down on the ground beside the fire, alarmed his sister greatly,
so that she scarcely knew what to say.

"Don't know what's to be done at all," continued Roy somewhat peevishly.

This was so unlike himself that the little girl felt a strong tendency
to burst into tears, but she restrained herself. After a short silence,
she said somewhat timidly--

"Don't you think we might try to pray?"

"What's the use," said Roy quickly; "I'm sure I've prayed often and
often, and so have you, but nothin's come of it."

It was quite evident that Roy was in a state of rebellion. This was the
first time Nelly had suggested _united_ prayer to her brother; she did
it timidly, and the rebuff caused her to shrink within herself.

Roy's quick eye observed the shrinking; he repented instantly, and,
drawing Nelly to him, laid her head on his breast.

"Forgive me, Nell, I shouldn't have said it; for, after all, we've had
everything given to us here that we have needed up to this time. Come,
I _will_ pray with you."

They both got upon their knees at once, but, strive as he might, not a
word would cross Roy's lips for several minutes. Nelly raised her head
and looked at him.

"God help us!" he ejaculated.

"For Jesus' sake," murmured Nelly.

They both said "Amen" to these words, and these were all their prayers.

Roy's rebellion of heart was gone now, but his feelings were not yet
calmed. He leaped up, and, raising his sister, kissed her almost
violently.

"Now, lass, we _have_ prayed, and I _do_ believe that God will answer
us; so I'll take my gun and snow-shoes, an' off to the woods to look for
a deer. See that you have a roarin' fire ready to roast him three hours
hence."

Nelly smiled through her tears and said she would, while Roy slipped his
feet through the lines of his snow-shoes, threw his powder-horn and
bullet-pouch over his shoulder, seized his gun, and sallied forth with a
light step.

When he was gone, Nelly began actively to prepare for the fulfilment of
her promise. She took up the axe which Roy had left