ound it impossible to carry away. Then
they applied fire to the mansion, and, in a wonderfully short time Ben
Nevis was reduced to a level with the plain. Another party treated
Prairie Cottage in a similar manner.

It was when the first volume of black smoke rose into the sky that Old
Peg came to the edge of the bushes that fringed the creek and discovered
that Ben Nevis had suddenly become volcanic! She instantly became fully
aware of the state of matters, and rightly judged that the family must
have escaped, else there would have been some evidence of resistance.

Fortunately the old woman had not yet passed quite from the shelter of
the bushes. She drew back with a degree of caution worthy of a
Red-skin, leading the horse with her. When well out of sight she paused
for the purpose of meditation. What was now to be done! As we have
said, she possessed decision of character in an eminent degree. She
never at any time had taken long to make up her mind; she was not going
to begin now, though the position was probably the most perplexing that
she had ever experienced. Suddenly she raised her head and laughed.

In the circumstances it would not have been surprising had hysteria
seized Old Peg, but there was nothing hysterical in her nature. Calm,
cool, calculating courage dominated her every thought and feeling, but
the idea of what she was driven to in her old age had tickled her fancy.
Leading the big cart-horse close up to a bank, she prepared to mount
him--having previously broken off a good strong switch from a
neighbouring bush.

Never before in her life had Peg mounted a steed of any kind whatever.
She knew the lady's position on horseback by sight, of course, but not
by practice. To attempt it even with a side-saddle would have been
impossible; but Elephant was barebacked. Fortunately he was fat and
broad, and without a visible back-bone. Old Peg at once made up her
mind, and, climbing the bank, scrambled on his back in gentleman's
position. It was more comfortable than she had dared to hope.

But now an unexpected difficulty met her. Elephant declined to move!
She pulled at his bridle, and he turned sluggishly, but he would not
advance. Peg administered a sounding whack with the switch. She might
as well have hit a neighbouring tree. Elephant's hide was like that of
his namesake, and he had no feelings to speak of that could be touched,
or hurt, or worked upon.

In this dilemma the old wom