d Mrs. Campbell. "How much liquor do you get
from one tree?"

"A matter of two or three gallons," replied Malachi; "sometimes more and
sometimes less. After we have tapped the trees and set our trays, we
shall have nothing more to do for a fortnight. The Strawberry can attend
to them all, and will let us know when she is ready."

"Do you tap the trees every year?"

"Yes, ma'am, and a good tree will bear it for fifteen or twenty years;
but it kills them at last."

"So I should suppose, for you take away so much of the sap of the tree."

"Exactly, ma'am; but there's no want of sugar-maples in these woods."

"You promised us some honey, Malachi," said Emma, "but we have not seen
it yet. Can you get us some?"

"We had no time to get it last autumn, miss, but we will try this autumn
what we can do. When John and I are out in the woods, we shall very
probably find a honey-tree, without going very far. I did intend to have
looked out for some, if you had not mentioned it."

"I know one," said Martin, "I marked it a fortnight ago, but I quite
forgot all about it. Since the mill has been in hand, I have had little
time for any thing else. The fact is, we have all plenty to do just
now."

"That we certainly have," replied Henry, laughing; "I wish I could see
the end of my work in the barn; I doubt if I shall be able to get out
with my rifle this winter."

"No, sir, you must leave the woods to John and me," replied Malachi.
"Never mind, you shan't want for venison. Do you require the sledge
to-morrow, Mr. Alfred?"

Malachi referred to a small sledge which they had made in the winter,
and which was now very useful, as they could, with one horse, transport
things from place to place. It was used by Alfred for bringing down to
the storehouse the sacks of flour as fast as they were ground in the
mill.

"I can do without it for a day. What do you want it for?"

"To bring all the honey home," said Emma laughing.

"No, miss, to take the coppers out into the woods," replied Malachi,
"that they may be ready for the liquor. As soon as we have tapped the
trees, we will look for the honey."

"Did you send your skins down to Montreal by the _bateaux_?" inquired
Mr. Campbell.

"Yes, father," replied Alfred; "Mr. Emmerson took charge of them, and
promised to deliver them to the agent; but we have not so many this year
as we had last. John has the largest package of all of us."

"Yes, he beats me this year," said Malachi; "h