ufficiently intelligible, their readiness to undertake a task
even more arduous. The squatter himself eagerly seized the hint which
had been so reluctantly extorted from the trapper, who by some singular
process of reasoning had evidently persuaded himself that it was his
duty to be strictly neutral. A few direct and pertinent enquiries served
to obtain the little additional information that was necessary, in
order to make the contemplated movement, and then Ishmael, who was, on
emergencies, as terrifically energetic, as he was sluggish in common,
set about effecting his object without delay.

Notwithstanding the industry and zeal of all engaged, the task was one
of great labour and difficulty. The loaded vehicles were to be drawn by
hand across a wide distance of plain without track or guide of any sort,
except that which the trapper furnished by communicating his knowledge
of the cardinal points of the compass. In accomplishing this object,
the gigantic strength of the men was taxed to the utmost, nor were the
females or the children spared a heavy proportion of the toil. While the
sons distributed themselves about the heavily loaded wagons, and drew
them by main strength up the neighbouring swell, their mother and Ellen,
surrounded by the amazed group of little ones, followed slowly in the
rear, bending under the weight of such different articles as were suited
to their several strengths.

Ishmael himself superintended and directed the whole, occasionally
applying his colossal shoulder to some lagging vehicle, until he saw
that the chief difficulty, that of gaining the level of their intended
route, was accomplished. Then he pointed out the required course,
cautioning his sons to proceed in such a manner that they should not
lose the advantage they had with so much labour obtained, and beckoning
to the brother of his wife, they returned together to the empty camp.

Throughout the whole of this movement, which occupied an hour of time,
the trapper had stood apart, leaning on his rifle, with the aged hound
slumbering at his feet, a silent but attentive observer of all that
passed. Occasionally, a smile lighted his hard, muscular, but wasted
features, like a gleam of sunshine flitting across a ragged ruin, and
betrayed the momentary pleasure he found in witnessing from time to time
the vast power the youths discovered. Then, as the train drew slowly
up the ascent, a cloud of thought and sorrow threw all into the shade