ce of time. They were so delighted with their
sail that they could scarcely keep out of their boat. The whole circuit
of the lake was visited, and they talked of taking her into Lake Huron,
when, perhaps fortunately, down came such a fall of snow as to make
rapid progress over the ice impossible, and they once again returned to
their more serious occupations.

The snow became every day harder, till a crust formed on the top of it,
which made walking over it where it was not beaten down, both difficult
and painful. Some Indians had encamped in the neighbourhood for the
purpose of trading with the pale faces, and obtaining food and clothing.
Two of them at this juncture came with some slight oblong frames,
between three and four feet in length, with net-work filling up the
inner portion. What they could be, none of the younger members of the
family could guess, till the Indians fastened one to each of their feet
and began to move along over the snow on the lake. "Snow-shoes!
snow-shoes!" cried Charley; and forthwith a bargain was struck for
several pair. The squaws brought some the next day of a lighter
construction for the ladies of the family, and a new source of amusement
was found enabling them also to take the exercise so necessary for
health. Bravely Sophy and her sisters faced the cold, bitter and biting
as it was, and with their brothers made their first attempt to walk in
snow-shoes on the lake.

They were all thus engaged, laughing and shouting and enjoying the
amusement, when an object was seen in the distance approaching them, and
the silvery cheerful sound of sleigh-bells floated up to them through
the calm air. "Bravo--excellent!--that is what I like to see. We
should hear nothing of sick headaches in Canada, if all the young ladies
would put their pretty little feet on to snow-shoes, and step over the
country as you are doing, or rather will be doing before long, for you
are on the ice just now," cried Mr Norman from a handsome sleigh which
drove up to them. The horses' harness, surmounted by a belfry, as Harry
called the frame to which the bells were suspended, was covered with
bright-coloured braiding, and rich skins filled the sleigh itself and
hung over the back. From among them a lady's head was seen. "Allow me
to introduce my wife," continued Mr Norman. "She has just told me that
she has already fallen in love with you all; but do not let us bring you
in--we will wait for you at the hous