ut three miles from the cottage he found what he thought
would suit him; there was a sort of avenue between two thickets, about a
hundred yards wide; and the wind blowing through this avenue, during the
snow-storm, had drifted the snow at one end of it, and raised right
across it a large mound several feet high. By strewing small bundles of
hay he drew the herd of ponies into this avenue, and in it he left them
a good quantity to feed upon every night for several nights, till at
last the herd went there every morning.

"Now, Pablo, we must make a trial," said Humphrey. "You must get your
lassos ready, in case they should be required. We must go to the avenue
before daylight with the two dogs, tie one upon one side of the avenue
and the other on the other, that they may bark and prevent the ponies
from attempting to escape through the thicket. Then we must get the
ponies between us and the drift of snow which lies across the avenue,
and try if we cannot draw them into the drift. If so, they will plunge
in so deep that some of them will not be able to get out before we have
thrown the ropes round their necks."

"I see," said Pablo; "very good--soon catch them."

Before daylight they went with the dogs and a large bundle of hay, which
they strewed nearer to the mound of drifted snow. They then tied the
dogs up on each side, ordering them to lie down and be quiet. Then they
walked through the thicket so as not to be perceived, until they
considered that they were far enough from the snow-drift. About
daylight the herd came to pick up the hay as usual, and after they had
passed them Humphrey and Pablo followed in the thicket, not wishing to
show themselves till the last moment. While the ponies were busy with
the hay, they suddenly ran out into the avenue and separated, so as to
prevent the ponies from attempting to gallop past them. Shouting as
loud as they could, as they ran up to the ponies, and calling to the
dogs, who immediately set up a barking on each side; the ponies, alarmed
at the noise and the appearance of humphrey and Pablo, naturally set off
in the only direction which appeared to them to be clear, and galloped
away towards the mound of drifted snow, with their tails streaming, and
snorting and plunging in the snow as they hurried along; but as soon as
they arrived at the mound they plunged first up to their bellies, and
afterwards, as they attempted to force their way where the snow was
deeper, ma