old man
appeared to like being in company, and his misanthropy had wholly
disappeared. He now invariably spent his evenings with the family
assembled round the kitchen fire, and had become much more fond of
hearing his own voice. John did not so much admire these evening
parties. He cared nothing for new books, or indeed any books. He would
amuse himself making moccasins, or working porcupine quills with the
Strawberry at one corner of the fire, and the others might talk or read,
it was all the same, John never said a word or appeared to pay the least
attention to what was said. His father occasionally tried to make him
learn something, but it was useless. He would remain for hours with his
book before him, but his mind was elsewhere. Mr. Campbell, therefore,
gave up the attempt for the present, indulging the hope that when John
was older, he would be more aware of the advantages of education, and
would become more attentive. At present, it was only inflicting pain on
the boy without any advantage being gained. But John did not always sit
by the kitchen fire. The wolves were much more numerous than in the
preceding winter, having been attracted by the sheep which were within
the palisade, and every night the howling was incessant. The howl of a
wolf was sufficient to make John seize his rifle and leave the house,
and he would remain in the snow for hours till one came sufficiently
near for him to fire, and he had already killed several when a
circumstance occurred which was the cause of great uneasiness.

John was out one evening as usual, crouched down within the palisades,
and watching for the wolves. It was a bright starry night, but there was
no moon, when he perceived one of the animals crawling along almost on
its belly, close to the door of the palisade which surrounded the house.
This surprised him, as generally speaking, the animals prowled round the
palisade which encircled the sheep-fold, or else close to the pig-sties
which were at the opposite side from the entrance door. John leveled his
rifle and fired, when to his astonishment, the wolf appeared to spring
up in the air on his hind legs, then fall down and roll away. The key of
the palisade door was always kept within, and John determined to go in
and fetch it, that he might ascertain whether he had killed the animal
or not. When he entered, Malachi said, "Did you kill, my boy?"

"Don't know," replied John; "come for the key to see."

"I don't like the