ck as fast as we could go.
The shades of evening were rapidly increasing; the cold was becoming
intense. We were not likely to lose our way, but that was possible, and
the consequences might be serious.

"There is something strange in the tone of his voice," observed Robin,
as he walked by my side. "I could almost fancy that I had heard it
before, and yet I don't remember ever seeing anybody like him."

Before I could answer, Robin had to fall behind me to follow in my
trail, and, indeed, we had to move too rapidly to allow of any
conversation. It was becoming darker and darker, and I anxiously looked
out for the camp-fire, which I felt sure Martin would keep up to guide
us on our way. I should have been thankful could we have moved into
warm quarters that night, for I feared that Alick would suffer from the
cold.

It was a great relief when I at length caught sight of a bright light
between the trunks of the trees, as I knew that it must proceed from our
camp-fire. We hurried on, and found Martin busily employed in cooking
supper. He had made some soup for Alick. I don't know what we should
have done without that old iron pot. He had also lighted a small fire
in the centre of our wigwam, which of course required constant
attention, lest any sparks should reach the inflammable materials of
which our habitation was composed.

"What news?" asked Martin, looking up from his occupation. "Don't stop
to tell me here--it's wonderfully cold; but go inside, and I'll come and
hear all about it. Pat, you carry the pot, and I'll bring in the roast.
You'll want some food, I suspect, after your expedition."

We followed his advice. Pat took off the pot, and we were all soon
seated round our wigwam with the entrance carefully closed. Alick was
of course much surprised to hear the account we gave him, and declared
that he should be perfectly ready to set off the next morning; he would
go on his own feet if he could, but if not he must ask us to carry him.

"Shure, it's not on your own feet you're going, Mister Alick," observed
Pat; "we'll build you an illigant litther, and carry you on our four
shoulders."

Alick felt conscious that the journey would surpass his powers, and
thanked Pat for his good intentions. The Irishman, who was sincerely
attached to my brother, proposed immediately setting to work to form a
litter, and in spite of the cold, as soon as supper was over he went out
with the axe on his shoulder; an