lking of things and scenes around them.

"Does Strongbow think that the frost will hold?" asked Hendrick, one
evening after supper, as he reclined in front of the fire on a pile of
brushwood.

"Strongbow cannot tell," returned the Indian. "It looks like thaw, but
the Great Spirit sometimes changes his mind, and sends what we do not
expect."

Having uttered this cautious reply with sententious gravity he continued
his supper in silence.

"The Great Spirit never changes his mind," said Paul. "Perfection
cannot change, because it need not."

"Waugh!" replied the Indian. It was evident that he did not agree with
Paul, but was too polite to say so.

"I like this sort o' thing," remarked Captain Trench, looking up from
the rib on which he was engaged, and gazing round at the magnificent
sweep of hill and dale of which they had a bird's-eye view from their
camp.

"So do I, daddy; with lots to eat an' a roarin' fire a fellow feels as
happy as a king," said Oliver.

"Happier than most kings, I doubt not," returned Hendrick.

"But, Olly, you have mentioned only two of the things that go to produce
felicity," said Paul. "Food and fire are certainly important elements,
but these would be of little avail if we had not health, strength, and
appetite."

"To say nothin' of the fresh air o' the mountains, and the excitement o'
the wilderness, and the enthusiasm of youth," added the captain.

"Are _you_ not as happy as _me_, daddy?" asked the boy, with a sudden
glance of intelligence.

"Happier a great deal, I should say," replied the father, "for I'm not
so much of a goose."

"Why then, daddy, if you are happier than we, what you call the
enthusiasm of youth can have nothing to do with it, you know!"

"You young rascal, the enthusiasm of middle age is much more powerful
than that of youth! You let your tongue wag too freely."

"D'ye hear that, Osky?" said Oliver to his little companion in an
audible whisper. "There's comfort for you an' me. We'll be more
enthusiastic and far happier when we come to middle age! What d'ye
think o' that?"

Oscar--who, although much inclined to fun and humour, did not always
understand the curious phases of them presented to him by his civilised
friend--looked innocently in his face and said, "Me no tink about it at
all!" Whereupon Olly burst into a short laugh, and expressed his belief
that, on the whole, that state of mind was about the happiest he could
come to.

"How lon