week a great deal of timber was cut and squared. During
this time Martin had several meetings with the old hunter, and it was
agreed that he should sell his property to Mr Campbell. Money he
appeared to care little about--indeed it was useless to him; gunpowder,
lead, flints, blankets, and tobacco, were the principal articles
requested in the barter; the amount, however, was not precisely settled.
An intimacy had been struck up between the old hunter and John; in what
manner it was difficult to imagine, as they both were very sparing of
their words; but this was certain, that John had contrived to get across
the stream somehow or another, and was now seldom at home to his meals.
Martin reported that he was in the lodge of the old hunter, and that he
could come to no harm; so Mrs Campbell was satisfied.

"But what does he do there, Martin?" said Mrs Campbell, as they were
clearing the table after supper.

"Just nothing but look at the squaw, or at Malachi cleaning his gun, or
anything else he may see. He never speaks, that I know of, and that's
why he suits old Malachi."

"He brought home a whole basket of trout this afternoon," observed Mary;
"so he is not quite idle."

"No, miss, he's fishing at daylight, and gives one-half to you and the
other to old Bone. He'll make a crack hunter one of these days, as old
Malachi says. He can draw the bead on the old man's rifle in good style
already, I can tell you."

"How do you mean, Martin," said Mrs Campbell.

"I mean that he can fire pretty true, ma'am, although it's a heavy gun
for him to lift; a smaller one would be better for him."

"But is he not too young to be trusted with a gun, uncle?" said Mary.

"No, miss," interrupted Martin, "you can't be too young here; the sooner
a boy is useful the better; and the boy with a gun is almost as good as
a man; for the gun kills equally well if pointed true. Master Percival
must have his gun as soon as I am at leisure to teach him."

"I wish you were at leisure now, Martin," cried Percival.

"You forget, aunt, that you promised to learn to load and fire a rifle
yourself," said Mary.

"No, I do not; and I intend to keep my word, as soon as there is time;
but John is so very young."

"Well, Mary, I suppose we must enlist too?" said Emma.

"Yes; we'll be the female rifle brigade," replied Mary, laughing.

"I really quite like the idea," continued Emma; "I will put up with no
impertinence, recollect, Alfred; excite