ard now felt
satisfied that he could do no better than be guided by the Intendant in
all his future undertakings.

We must now pass over some time in a few words. Edward continued at the
Intendant's, and gave great satisfaction to Mr Heatherstone. He passed
his time very agreeably, sometimes going out to shoot deer with Oswald,
and often supplying venison to his brother and sisters. During the
autumn, Patience very often went to the cottage, and occasionally Mr
Heatherstone paid them a visit; but after the winter set in Edward came
over by himself, shooting as he went; and when he and Smoker came, Billy
always had a journey to go for the venison left in the forest. Patience
sent Alice many little things for her own and Edith's use, and some very
good books for them to read; and Humphrey, during the evenings, read
with his sisters, that they might learn what he could teach them. Pablo
also learnt to read and write. Humphrey and Pablo had worked at the
saw-pit, and had sawed out a large quantity of boards and timber for
building, but the work was put off till the spring.

The reader may recollect that Edward had proposed to Humphrey that he
should ascertain whether what the robber had stated before his death,
relative to his having concealed his ill-gotten wealth under the tree
which was struck by lightning, was true. About ten days afterwards
Humphrey set off on this expedition. He did not take Pablo with him,
as, although he had a very good opinion of him, he agreed with Oswald
that temptation should not be put in his way. Humphrey considered that
it would be the best plan to go at once to Clara's cottage, and from
that proceed to find the oak-tree mentioned by the robber. When he
arrived at the thicket which surrounded the cottage, it occurred to him
that he would just go through it and see if it was in the state which
they had left it in; for after the Intendant had been there he had given
directions to his men to remain and bury the bodies, and then to lock up
the doors and bring the keys to him, which had been done. Humphrey tied
Billy and the cart to a tree, and walked through the thicket. As he
approached he heard voices; so he took care to advance very cautiously,
for he had not brought his gun with him. He crouched down as he came to
the opening before the cottage. The doors and windows were open, and
there were two men sitting outside, cleaning their guns; and in one of
them Humphrey recognised t