ank as Lieutenant."

"I do indeed, my dear fellow," replied Captain Sinclair. "They will be
pleased to hear it at the fort. When will you come over?"

"As soon as I can manage to trot a little faster upon these snow-shoes.
If, however, the old hunter does not come to-morrow, I will go to the
fort as soon as he brings us any news."

The accession to their party made them all very lively, and the evening
passed away very agreeably. At night, Captain Sinclair and Mr Gwynne
were ushered into the large bedroom where all the younger male portion
of the family slept, and which, as we before stated, had two spare
bed-places.

The next morning, Captain Sinclair would have accompanied the Misses
Percival on their milking expedition, but as his services were required
to haul up the fishing-punt, he was obliged to go down, with all the
rest of the men, to assist; Percival and John were the only ones left at
home with Mrs Campbell. John, after a time, having, as usual, rubbed
down his rifle, threw it on his shoulder, and, calling the dogs which
lay about, sallied forth for a walk, followed by the whole pack except
old Sancho, who invariably accompanied the girls to the cow-house.

Mary and Emma tripped over the new-beaten snow-path to the cow-house,
merry and cheerful, with their pails in their hands, Emma laughing at
Captain Sinclair's disappointment at not being permitted to accompany
them. They had just arrived at the cow-house, when old Sancho barked
furiously, and sprang to the side of the building behind them, and in a
moment afterwards rolled down the snow heap which he had sprung over,
holding on and held fast by a large black wolf. The struggle was not
very long, and during the time that it lasted the girls were so
panic-struck, that they remained like statues within two yards of the
animals. Gradually the old dog was overpowered by the repeated snapping
bites of the wolf, yet he fought nobly to the last, when he dropped
under the feet of the wolf, his tongue hanging out, bleeding profusely
and lifeless. As soon as his adversary was overpowered, the enraged
animal, with his feet upon the body of the dog, bristling his hair and
showing his powerful teeth, was evidently about to attack the young
women. Emma threw her arm round Mary's waist, advancing her body so as
to save her sister. Mary attempted the same, and then they remained
waiting in horror for the expected spring of the animal, when of a
sudden the ot