Mr. B. hesitated, and then answered candidly, 'I don't know what to
think of that myself. I have sometimes thought that a fall among the
many roots and fallen trunks of trees, which then strewed that desolate
place, may have caused such injuries; but why did they remain apparent
long after discolorations of such a nature should have disappeared?
Perhaps imagination may have had its effect, and made the impressions
indelible. But if there _is_ any truth in old-world stories, few places
fitter for such horrors can be found than was that drear waste of sand,
destitute of all signs of man's proximity, bounded on one side by a
blackened forest, on the other by the sailless sea, and containing only
the whitened ribs of a long-forgotten wreck. None of the folk around
here, sir, join in my doubts as to the reality of Mountain's fight with
the devil.'"

* * * * *

As Ben closed, a sound of sleigh-bells came up the road, and Lund opened
the door, at which appeared a light sleigh driven by one of Risk's sons.

"You and uncle are wanted in town at once. L. has sent you this letter,
and says--" And he whispered a few words in his father's ear.

"I came out to-night, for the ice is getting very bad, and a horse was
lost crossing the North River at Duckendorff's to-day. It is freezing
to-night, but the moon shows at times through the clouds, and we can get
home before one o'clock."

An hour later, Risk and the elder Davies bade a regretful farewell to
their young companions. "I am sorry," said the former, "that as yet we
have had no story from you, La Salle; but I hope to see you at my house
in C., and hear it there when your trip is over. Take care of yourself,
and make Lund out a false prophet. Good night, captain, you old
croaker;" and the sleigh disappeared in the shadows of the
forest-covered lane which led to the beach.

"Well, boys," said La Salle, "the best of our evenings are over, and we
must look to boat and gun for our best sport."

"We must have your story, though," said Ben.

"O, of course; but not to-night, for we have much to do to-morrow, to
get our boats down for the open-water shooting."

With this no one disagreed; and half an hour later, all were fast
asleep.

CHAPTER VIII.

FLOAT-SHOOTING.--A GENERAL FIELD-DAY.--CHANGES OF THE ICE.

The next morning, the boats, which were all provided with runners, were
drawn to the bar, and Carlo's sled carried, besides the lu