Silver Lake | Page 6

old country from their forefathers, and thought of those
well-remembered friends whom they had left behind them in the
settlements.
Notwithstanding the delay caused by the conveying of Wapaw to the
Fort, the hunters had walked so fast that there was still some time to
spare before dinner should be ready.
Roy resolved to devote this time to a ramble in the woods with his
sister Nelly. Accordingly the two put on their snow-shoes, and, merely
saying to their mother that they were going to take a run in the woods,
set forth.
Now, it must be known that Mrs Gore had looked forward to New
Year's Day dinner with great interest and much anxiety. There was a
general feeling of hilarity and excitement among the male members of

the self-exiled family that extended itself to the good woman, and
induced her to resolve that the entire household should have what
Walter styled a "rare blow-out!" During the whole morning she had
been busy with the preparation of the various dishes, among which
were a tart made of cloudberry jam, a salt goose, and a lump of bear's
ham, besides the rabbits and ptarmigan which had been shot that day.
"That's the way to do it, Molly," cried Robin, as he opened the door and
peeped in upon his wife during the height and heat of her culinary
labours; "keep the pot bilin', my dear, and don't spare the butter this day.
It only comes once a year, you know."
"Twice," muttered Larry in a low voice, as he stirred the contents of a
large pot which hung over the fire.
"And see that you look after Wapaw," continued Robin. "Don't give
him too much at first, it'll hurt him."
"No fear of that," replied Larry, "he's got so much a'ready that he
couldn't howld another morsel av he was to try."
"Well, well, take care of him, anyhow," said Robin, with a laugh;
"meanwhile I'll go see after the defences o' the Fort, and make all
snug."
By dint of unwearied perseverance the dinner was cooked, and then it
occurred to Robin to ask where the children were, but no one could tell,
so the hunter remarked quietly that they would "doubtless make their
appearance in a short while."
Gradually the dinner reached that interesting point which is usually
styled "ready to dish." Whereupon Robin again asked where the
children were. Still no one could tell, so he said he would go out and
hail them. Loudly and long did the hunter call, but no one answered;
then he made a rapid search in and about the Fort, but they were not to
be found. Moreover, a snow-storm had begun to set in, and the drift
rendered it difficult to distinguish tracks in the snow.

At last the day's labours were brought to a close. Dinner was served,
and smoked invitingly on the table. The party only awaited the return
of Robin with the children. In a few minutes Robin entered hastily.
"Molly," said he, in a tone of anxiety, "the foolish things have gone into
the woods, I think. Come, lads, we must hunt them down. It's snowin'
hard, so we've no time to lose."
Walter and Larry at once put on their capotes, fur-caps, and snow-shoes,
and sallied forth, leaving Mrs Gore seated alone, and in a state of deep
anxiety, by the side of her untasted New Year's Day dinner.
CHAPTER FOUR.
LOST IN THE SNOW.
When Roy and Nelly set out for a ramble, they had at first no intention
of going beyond their usual haunts in the woods around the Fort; but
Roy had been inspirited by his successful march that day with his father
and Walter, and felt inclined to show Nelly some new scenes to which
they had not, up to that time, dared to penetrate together.
The snow-storm, already referred to, had commenced gradually. When
the children set forth on their ramble only a few flakes were falling, but
they had not been away half an hour when snow fell so thickly that they
could not see distinctly more than a few yards ahead of them. There
was no wind, however, so they continued to advance, rather pleased
than otherwise with the state of things.
"Oh, I do like to see falling snow," cried Nelly, with a burst of
animation.
"So do I," said Roy, looking back at his sister with a bright smile, "and
I like it best when it comes down thick and heavy, in big flakes, on a
very calm day, don't you?"
"Yes, oh it's so nice," responded Nelly sympathetically.

They paused for minutes to shake some of the snow from their
garments, and beat their hands together, for their fingers were cold, and
to laugh boisterously, for their hearts