ve at least two new skins upon my hands
before the winter comes on," replied Henry; "but felling timber was not
a part of my university education--"

"No," replied Alfred; "Oxford don't teach that. Now, my university
education--"

"Your university education!" cried Emma.

"Yes, mine; I have sailed all over the universe, and that I call a
university education; but here come Martin and John. Why, John has got
a gun on his shoulder! He must have taken it with him when he last
disappeared."

"I suppose that by this time he knows how to use it, Alfred," said Mrs
Campbell.

"Yes, ma'am," replied Martin, who had entered; "he knows well how to use
and how to take care of it and take care of himself. I let him bring it
home on purpose to watch him. He has fired and loaded twice as we came
back, and has killed this wood-chuck," continued Martin, throwing the
dead animal on the floor. "Old Malachi has taught him well, and he has
not forgotten his lessons."

"What animal is that, Martin; is it good to eat?" said Henry.

"Not very good, sir; it's an animal that burrows in the ground, and is
very hurtful in a garden or to the young maize, and we always shoot them
when we meet with them."

"It's a pity that it's not good to eat."

"Oh! you may eat it, sir; I don't say it's not fit to eat, but there are
other things much better."

"That's quite sufficient for me, Martin," said Emma, "I shall not taste
him; at all events not this time, whatever I may have to do by-and-bye."

"I spoke to old Bone, sir, and he says it's all right; that he won't
keep him more than a day without first sending him to you to ask leave."

"That's all I require, Martin."

"They have been out these two days, and had only just come home when I
arrived there. The game was still in the wood."

"I shot a deer," said John.

"You shot a deer, John!" said Alfred; "why, what a useful fellow you
will be by-and-bye."

"Yes, sir; old Malachi told me that the boy had shot a deer, and that he
would bring it here to-morrow himself."

"I'm glad of that, for I wish to speak with him," said Mr Campbell;
"but, John, how came you to take the rifle with you without leave?"

"Can't shoot without a gun," replied John.

"No, you cannot; but the rifle is not yours."

"Give it me, and I'll shoot everything for dinner," replied John.

"I think you had better do so, father," said Henry, in a low voice; "the
temptation will be too strong."

"You are righ