oes with
his knife, that he has a turn that way, and it may be useful. I must
also get some other tools for Humphrey and you, as we shall then be able
to work all together; and some threads and needles for Alice, for she
can sew a little, and practice will make her more perfect."

Jacob went off to Lymington as he had proposed, and returned late at
night with White Billy well loaded; he had a sack of oatmeal, some
spades and hoes, a saw and chisels, and other tools; two scythes and two
three-pronged forks; and when Edward came to meet him he put into his
hand a gun with a very long barrel.

"I believe, Edward, that you will find that a good one, for I know where
it came from. It belonged to one of the rangers, who was reckoned the
best shot in the forest. I know the gun, for I have seen it on his arm,
and have taken it in my hand to examine it more than once. He was
killed at Naseby, with your father, poor fellow! And his widow sold the
gun to meet her wants."

"Well!" replied Edward, "I thank you much, Jacob, and I will try if I
cannot kill as much venison as will pay back the purchase-money--I will,
I assure you."

"I shall be glad if you do, Edward; not because I want the money back,
but because then I shall be more easy in my mind about you all, if
anything happens to me. As soon as you are perfect in your woodcraft, I
shall take Humphrey in hand, for there is nothing like having two
strings to your bow. To-morrow we will not go out: we have meat enough
for three weeks or more; and now the frost has set in, it will keep
well. You shall practise at a mark with your gun, that you may be
accustomed to it: for all guns, even the best, require a little
humouring."

Edward, who had often fired a gun before, proved the next morning that
he had a very good eye; and after two or three hours' practice, hit the
mark at a hundred yards almost every time.

"I wish you would let me go out by myself," said Edward, overjoyed at
his success.

"You would bring home nothing, boy," replied Jacob. "No, no, you have a
great deal to learn yet; but I tell you what you shall do: any time that
we are not in great want of venison, you shall have the first fire."

"Well, that will do," replied Edward.

The winter now set in with great severity, and they remained almost
altogether within doors. Jacob and the boys went out to get firewood,
and dragged it home through the snow.

"I wish, Jacob," said Humphrey, "that I was a