fall occurred about the middle of October; there was,
therefore, some reasonable prospect that it might melt under an improved
state of the weather, and there was also the possibility of the fall
ceasing, and still permitting them to advance.

Under the impulse of hope derived from these considerations, they set
forth once more to the westward.

The prospect in that direction, however, was not cheering. Mountain
succeeded mountain in irregular succession, rugged and bleak--the dark
precipices and sombre pine-woods looking blacker by contrast with the
newly-fallen snow. Some of the hills were wooded to their summits;
others, bristling and castellated in outline, afforded no hold to the
roots of trees, and stood out in naked sterility. Everywhere the land
seemed to have put on its winter garb, and all day, as they advanced,
snow continued to fall at intervals, so that wading through it became an
exhausting labour, and Oliver's immature frame began to suffer, though
his brave spirit forbade him to complain.

That night there came another heavy fall, and when they awoke next
morning it was found that the country was buried under a carpet of snow
full three feet deep.

"Do you admit now, Master Trench, that the masts have gone by the
board," asked Paul, "and that it is impossible to carry sail any
longer?"

"I admit nothing," returned the captain grumpily.

"That's right, daddy, never give in!" cried Oliver; "but what has Master
Hendrick got to say to it?"

"We must turn in our tracks!" said the hunter gravely, "and make for
home."

"Home, indeed!" murmured the captain, whose mind naturally flew back to
old England. "If we are to get to any sort of home at all, the sooner
we set about making sail for it the better."

There was something in the captain's remark, as well as in his tone,
which caused a slight flush on Hendrick's brow, but he let no expression
of feeling escape him. He only said--

"You are right, Captain Trench. We must set off with the least possible
delay. Will you and your son start off in advance to get something
fresh for breakfast while Master Paul and I remain to pack up and bring
on our camp equipage? Hunters, you know, should travel light--we will
do the heavy work for you."

The captain was surprised, but replied at once--

"Most gladly, Master Hendrick, will I do your bidding; but as we don't
know what course to steer, won't we be apt to go astray?"

"There is no fear of that