oor Head-nurse wailed--of the habitable world, the Captain of
the Escort had expected to find the remainder of his men; but they were
not there, and as his provisions were running short, he could not go on
till they did arrive. So, in an ill humor, he ordered a halt, and the
whole outwearied party hastily cooked themselves a meagre supper and
lay down in hot haste for rest at last. And rest they had, for that
night the snow, which had been threatening, began to fall, and by
daylight a good nine inches lay on the ground. The children, who had
never seen such thick snow before, were delighted; but Foster-father
looked fearfully at the passes before them, while the Captain of the
Escort fumed and fretted at the non-arrival of his men. Unless they came
soon, he said, if more snow fell, the pass immediately in front of them
might be closed for days. Not that there seemed much likelihood of
further storm, for the sky was blue as blue, the air, though keen,
pleasant. About noon, there being still no sign of the missing men with
provisions, the captain became impatient, and told Foster-father curtly
that he and his three troopers would ride back some fifteen miles to a
village, where perchance the others were waiting, and that meanwhile the
rest of them could wait till he returned; there were provisions enough
for a day or two. Foster-father protested against being left alone in
the snow with but a boy, two helpless women and two young children; but
the Captain only laughed and rode off, taking with him Horse-chestnut,
as a precaution, doubtless, against any attempt to escape with the
Heir-to-Empire.

There was nothing to be done, Foster-father felt, save to wait with what
patience he could; but his heart sank as, while Head-nurse and
Foster-mother slept, outwearied by the past two days' fatigue, and the
children under Roy's care played snowballs, he sat and watched the sky.
At first there was only a cloud or two in the west; then a sudden wind
sprang up and drove the fine, powdery snow in drifts. But still the sun
shone, though it seemed to grow a little dimmer, a little paler;
finally, about two hours after the others had left, Foster-father felt
uncertain whether it was all drift that seemed to fill the air with a
fine white film, or whether fresh snow was falling.

An hour later there was no doubt about it. Great flakes were circling
down silently, the sun had vanished, all things had become grey.
Head-nurse heaped up the