none to be seen or heard. All was quiet, so
quiet that as they stepped along the path which had been cleared away to
the cow-house, they almost started at the sound of their own voices,
which the atmosphere rendered more peculiarly sonorous and ringing.
Alfred had his rifle on his shoulder, and walked in front of his
cousins.

"I have come to prove that all your fears are groundless, my dear Emma,
and that you need not have any alarm about a skulking, cowardly wolf,"
said Alfred.

"Well, that may be," replied Emma, "but still we are very glad of your
company."

They arrived at the cow-house without any adventure, let loose Sancho,
who had been tied up, as it was decided that the dog should remain at
home with the others, and proceeded to milk the cows. Having finished
that task and supplied them with fodder, Mary Percival observed, as they
were retracing their steps, "I must say that it would not only be more
convenient, but more agreeable if the cows were kept nearer to the
house."

"It would be, certainly," replied Alfred. "It is a pity that there is
not a cow-shed within the palisades; but we have no means of making one
at present. Next year, when my father has purchased his horses and his
sheep, which he talks of doing, we are to build a regular yard and sheds
for all the animals close to the house, and palisaded round as the house
now is, with a passage from one palisade to the other. Then it will be
very convenient; but `Rome was not built in one day,' and we must,
therefore, wait another winter."

"And be devoured by the wolves in the meantime," replied Emma, laughing.

"Why, you are getting over your fright already, Emma."

"Yes; I feel bold, now there is nothing to be afraid of." The remainder
of the week was passed away in practising upon the snow-shoes by the
males of the party, the women scarcely ever venturing out of doors, as
the cold was very severe. Mary and Emma were accompanied by Alfred for
the first three or four days; and after that, notwithstanding that the
howling of the wolves was heard every night, they took courage when they
found that the animals never made their appearance by daylight, and went
as before to milk the cows by themselves. On the Saturday, they were in
the hopes of seeing old Malachi Bone, but he did not make his
appearance, and John, who could now get on very well in his snow-shoes,
became very impatient. Alfred and Martin were also very anxious to see
the old