ell had no time to raise any objection, if they were
inclined, for Emma was out of the door in a moment, with John at her
heels. But Emma quite forgot that she had no snow shoes, and before she
had gone half the distance she found herself as much fatigued as if she
had walked miles; and she sank deeper and deeper in the snow every step
that she advanced. At last they arrived, and found the party: Alfred was
lying insensible on the snow, and the others making a litter of branches
that they might carry him to the house.

A little brandy poured down his throat brought Alfred to his senses; and
as he opened his eyes, he perceived Emma hanging over him.

"Dear Emma, how kind of you," said he, attempting to rise.

"Do not move, Alfred; they will soon have the litter ready, and then you
will be carried to the house. It is not far off."

"I am strong again now, Emma," replied Alfred. "But you must not remain
here in the cold. See, the snow is falling again."

"I must remain now till they are ready to carry you, Alfred, for I dare
not go back by myself."

By this time the litter was prepared, and Alfred placed on it. Malachi,
Henry, Martin and John took it up.

"Where is Percival?" said Emma.

"He's behind a little way," replied John. "The snow-shoes hurt him, and
he could not walk so fast. He will be here in a minute."

They carried Alfred to the house, where Mr. and Mrs. Campbell and Mary
were waiting at the door in great anxiety; poor Emma was quite knocked
up by the time that they arrived, and went into her own room.

Alfred was laid on his bed, and his father then examined his wounds,
which he considered very dangerous, from the great laceration of the
flesh. Mr. Campbell dressed them, and then they left Alfred to the
repose which he so much required. The state of Alfred so occupied their
minds and their attention, that nothing and nobody else was thought of
for the first hour. Emma, too, had been taken very ill soon after she
came in, and required the attention of Mrs. Campbell and Mary. It was
not until they were about to sit down to supper that Mr. Campbell said,
"Why, where's Percival?"

"Percival! Is he not here?" was the question anxiously uttered by all
the party who had been hunting.

"Percival not here!" exclaimed Mrs. Campbell, starting up. "Where--where
is my child?"

"He was just behind us," said John; "he sat down to alter his
snow-shoes; the ties hurt him."

Malachi and Martin ran out of doors