of the dogs in the meantime had scraped out for
themselves hollows in the snow, while others found out snug berths so
close to the fire that they ran no little danger of burning their fur.

Such was the scene which met my eyes just before I fell asleep, rolled
up like the rest in buffalo-robes with a knapsack for my pillow, the
snow my couch, and the sky glittering brightly with countless stars
overhead; and such was the scene which our camp presented night after
night. We had got within three days' journey of our destination, when
numerous buffaloes were seen in the far distance; and as it was
important to secure some fresh meat, Mr Meredith ordered a halt, that
the hunters might go in chase of the animals. It was supposed that the
buffaloes were moving away to the westward, and that another opportunity
of hunting them might not occur during the winter.

A convenient place for a camp, in a hollow surrounded by trees, was
chosen, and wigwams were put up for those who wished to remain in camp.
The larger number of the men, however, all of whom were accustomed to
hunting, were eager to go in chase, so that comparatively few remained
to guard the camp.

I resolved to stay behind, both for the sake of enjoying the society of
Rose and Letty, as also because I had had hunting enough, and had
scarcely yet sufficiently recovered to undergo the fatigue of a long run
in snow-shoes. Alick, though he had held out so well when leading our
small party, had knocked up altogether when his responsibilities were
over, and was unfit to exert himself in any way; all he could do,
indeed, was to step into his cariole and be dragged along over the snow.

Martin was very little better, and this was the first opportunity he had
had of spending any time with his parents, who were anxious to hear his
adventures. I had been seated with Rose and Letty before the camp-fire,
when they proposed putting on their snow-shoes and walking to the top of
a slight elevation some distance off, from whence we fancied that a view
might be obtained of the herd of buffaloes.

The air was perfectly calm, the sky bright, and as a hard crust had
formed over the snow, we found walking especially pleasant. We went on
and on, consequently, farther than we had intended, expecting every
instant to come in sight of the hunters and the shaggy monsters of which
they were in chase.

The ridge on the top of which we were walking was of no great height,
and others s