back by Humphrey. This the Intendant consented to, and they had a very
merry party. Humphrey remained two days at the Intendant's house, and
then returned to the cottage, where Edward had taken his place during
his absence.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

The winter set in very severe, and the falls of snow were very heavy and
frequent. It was fortunate Humphrey had been so provident in making so
large a quantity of hay, or the stock would have been starved. The
flock of goats, in great part, subsisted themselves on the bark of trees
and moss; at night they had some hay given to them, and they did very
well. It was hardly possible for Edward to come over to see his brother
and sisters, for the snow was so deep as to render such a long journey
too fatiguing for a horse. Twice or thrice after the snow fell he
contrived to get over, but after that they knew that it was impossible,
and they did not expect him. Humphrey and Pablo had little to do except
attending to the stock, and cutting firewood to keep up their supply,
for they now burnt it very fast. The snow lay several feet high round
the cottage, being driven against it by the wind. They had kept a
passage clear to the yard, and had kept the yard as clear as possible:
they could do no more. A sharp frost and clear weather succeeded to the
snow-storms, and there appeared no chance of the snow melting away. The
nights were dark and long, and their oil for their lamp was getting low.
Humphrey was anxious to go to Lymington, as they required many things;
but it was impossible to go anywhere except on foot, and walking was,
from the depth of the snow, a most fatiguing exercise. There was one
thing, however, that Humphrey had not forgotten, which was, that he had
told Edward that he would try and capture some of the forest ponies; and
during the whole of the time since the heavy fall of snow had taken
place he had been making his arrangements. The depth of the snow
prevented the animals from obtaining any grass, and they were almost
starved, as they could find nothing to subsist upon except the twigs and
branches of trees which they could reach. Humphrey went out with Pablo
and found the herd, which was about five miles from the cottage, and
near to Clara's old home. He and Pablo brought with them as much hay as
they could carry, and strewed it about, so as to draw the ponies nearer
to them, and then Humphrey looked for a place which would answer his
purpose. Abo