nd no one inclined to be treacherous will leave any weak
places. There is a high mound in Beech-tree meadow, which will make a
capital foundation, and save a great deal of labour. Who is for it?"

Of course, all the younger guests were delighted with Frank's proposal.
Mr Bracebridge also entered into it. "You shall have the assistance of
all the gardeners, who can do nothing during this weather," he observed;
"I will tell them also to engage half-a-dozen men thrown out of work;
they with their barrows will much expedite the operation."

"Thank you, papa; thank you, sir," exclaimed the boys; and as soon as
breakfast was over most of them jumped up ready to go to the scene of
action. Ernest, however, said that he had his holiday task to go
through, and that he must give one hour to that while he was fresh, and
before he allowed his thoughts to be occupied with the amusements of the
day. This reminded Buttar and Ellis that they had their tasks, to which
they had as yet paid very little attention. Bouldon was inclined to
think this proposal to study a very slow proceeding, as he had been in
the habit of not looking at his task till the last week of the holidays,
and often he did not finish off learning it till he was on his way to
school. Now, however, as Ernest and others set the example, he began to
think that he ought to do something.

"Very well," observed Frank; "we will not start for an hour and a
quarter; that will give you time to get out your books; and if you all
read hard, you will do something. I'll go to school, too, and rub up my
navigation."

Ernest, followed by his guests, accordingly repaired to the study. Tom
Bouldon, on looking into his portmanteau, found that, by the most
unaccountable negligence, as he said, the servant had not packed up any
of his school-books, but had put in instead a copy of "Robinson Crusoe,"
"Tom Cringle's Log," and the "Boy's Own Book." However, Ernest and
Ellis between them were able to supply him; so Master Tom, having no
excuse for idleness, set to with a will, and was surprised with the
progress he made, and the satisfaction it afforded him.

"Well, I really think I will do a bit of my task every day till it is
finished," he exclaimed, as Frank, pulling out his watch, told the party
that time was up, and that they might set off for the scene of action.

When they reached Beech-tree Meadow, they found a quantity of snow
already collected from a distance in the ne