ough. The Newfoundlanders of modern times know it well by the name of
a "silver thaw."

After the first gaze of surprise and admiration, our travellers made
hasty preparation to resume the journey, and the frost told beneficially
on them in more ways than one, for, while it hardened the ground, it
rendered the atmosphere clear and exhilarating, thus raising their
spirits and their hopes, which tended greatly to increase their power of
action and endurance.

That night they encamped again on a commanding height, and prepared
supper with the hopeful feelings of men who expect to gain the end of
their journey on the morrow.

As if to cheer them still more, the aurora borealis played in the
heavens that night with unwonted magnificence. It is said that the
northern lights are grander in Newfoundland even than in the Arctic
regions. At all events they were finer than anything of the kind that
had ever before been seen by Paul Burns or Captain Trench and his son,
insomuch that the sight filled them with feelings of awe.

The entire heavens seemed to be ablaze from horizon to zenith, not as
with the lurid fires of a great conflagration, which might suggest only
the idea of universal devastation, but with the tender sheen of varied
half-tints, playfully shooting athwart and intermingling with brighter
curtains of light of every conceivable hue.

The repose of the party was somewhat interfered with by the wonders that
surrounded them that night, and more than once they were startled from
slumber by the loud report of great limbs of trees, which, strong though
they seemed to be, were torn off by the load of ice that had accumulated
on them.

Daybreak found the party again passing swiftly over the land. It really
seemed as if even the boys had received special strength for the
occasion, for they neither lagged behind nor murmured, but kept well up
during the whole forced march. No doubt that youthful enthusiasm to
which Captain Trench had referred kept Olly up to the mark, while Osky--
as his friend called him--had been inured to hard labour of every kind
from infancy.

At last, about noon that day, their leader came to a sudden halt, and
pointed to something on the ground before him.

"What does he see?" asked Paul, in a low voice.

"Footprints," said Hendrick.

"What of--deer?" asked the captain, in a hoarse whisper.

"No--natives. Perhaps his friends."

While they were whispering, the Indian was on his knee