o
explain the mysteries of our holy religion to one who does not well
understand our language. I think, however, that the Strawberry now
begins to comprehend sufficiently for me to make the first attempt. I
say first attempt, because I have no idea of making a convert in a week,
or a month, or even in six months. All I can do is to exert my best
abilities, and then trust to God, who, in His own good time, will
enlighten her mind to receive His truth."

The next day the hunting party went out, and Percival, to his great
delight, was permitted to accompany it. As they had a long way to go,
for they had selected the hunting ground, they set off early in the
morning, before daylight, Mr. Campbell having particularly requested
that they would not return home late.

CHAPTER XXX.

The party had proceeded many miles before they arrived at the spot where
Malachi thought that they would fall in with some venison, which was the
principal game that they sought. It was not till near ten o'clock in the
morning that they stood on the ground which had been selected for the
sport. It was an open part of the forest, and the snow lay in large
drifts, but here and there on the hill-sides the grass was nearly bare,
and the deer were able, by scraping with their feet, to obtain some
food. They were all pretty well close together when they arrived.
Percival and Henry were about a quarter of a mile behind, for Percival
was not used to the snow-shoes, and did not get on so well as the
others. Malachi and the rest with him halted, that Henry and Percival
might come up with them, and then, after they had recovered their breath
a little, he said,

"Now, you see there's a fine lot of deer here, Master Percival, but as
you know nothing about woodcraft, and may put us all out, observe what I
say to you. The animals are not only cute of hearing and seeing, but
they are more cute of smell, and they can scent a man a mile off if the
wind blows down to them; so you see it would be useless to attempt to
get near to them if we do not get to the lee side of them without noise
and without being seen. Now, the wind has been from the eastward, and as
we are to the southward, we must get round by the woods to the westward,
before we go upon the open ground, and then, Master Percival, you must
do as we do, and keep behind, to watch our motions. If we come to a
swell in the land, you must not run up, or even walk up, as you might
show yourself; the d