t but more agreeable
if the cows were kept nearer to the house."

"It would be certainly," replied Alfred. "It is a pity that there is not
a cow-shed within the palisades; but we have no means of making one at
present. Next year, when my father has purchased his horses and his
sheep, which he talks of doing, we are to build a regular yard and sheds
for all the animals close to the house, and palisaded round as the house
now is, with a passage from one palisade to the other. Then it will be
very convenient; but 'Rome was not built in a day,' as the proverb says;
and we must, therefore, wait another winter."

"And be devoured by the wolves in the mean time," replied Emma,
laughing.

"Why, you are getting over your fright already, Emma."

"Yes; I feel pretty bold, now I think there is nothing to be afraid of."

The remainder of the week was passed away in practicing upon the
snow-shoes by the males of the party, the women scarcely ever venturing
out of doors, as the cold was very severe. Mary and Emma were
accompanied by Alfred for the first three or four days; and after that,
notwithstanding that the howling of the wolves was heard every night,
they took courage when they found that the animals never made their
appearance by daylight, and went as before to milk the cows by
themselves. On the Saturday, they were in the hopes of seeing old
Malachi Bone, but he did not make his appearance, and John, who could
now get on very well in his snow-shoes, became very impatient. Alfred
and Martin were also very anxious to see the old man, that they might
ascertain if he had made any discoveries relative to the Indians.
Sunday, as usual, was a day of rest from labor; the services were read
by Mr. Campbell, and the evening passed in serious conversation. Mr.
Campbell, although usually in good spirits, was certainly not so on that
evening: whether it was that the severity of the winter which had set in
and the known long duration of it which they had to encounter had an
effect upon his spirits, he was melancholy as well as serious. He more
than once referred to the former residence when in England, which was a
very unusual thing for him to do, and by degrees the conversation was
turned in that direction, and, although no one said so, they all felt
what a change there was in their present position from that which they
had been forced to leave. Mrs. Campbell, who perceived that a gloom was
gathering over the whole party, made severa