ehold, which
gave her occupation, and Mary from natural disposition did not feel the
confinement as much as Emma did; whenever, therefore, she did shew
symptoms of restlessness or was tempted to utter a complaint, they
reasoned with and soothed, but never reproached her.

The day after this conversation, Emma, to amuse herself, took a rifle
and vent out with Percival. She fired several shots at a mark, and by
degrees acquired some dexterity; gradually she became fond of the
exercise, and not a day passed that she and Percival did not practise
for an hour or two, until at last Emma could fire with great precision.
Practice and a knowledge of the perfect use of your weapon gives
confidence, and this Emma did at last acquire. She challenged Alfred
and Henry to fire at the bull's-eye with her, and whether by their
gallantry or her superior dexterity, she was declared victor. Mr and
Mrs Campbell smiled when Emma came in and narrated her success, and
felt glad that she had found something which afforded her amusement.

It happened that one evening the hunters were very late; it was a clear
moonlight night, but at eight o'clock they had not made their
appearance; Percival had opened the door to go out for some firewood
which had been piled within the palisades, and as it was later than the
usual hour for locking the palisade gates, Mr Campbell had directed him
so to do. Emma, attracted by the beauty of the night, was at the door
of the house, when the howl of a wolf was heard close to them; the dogs,
accustomed to it, merely sprang on their feet, but did not leave the
kitchen fire; Emma went out, and looked through the palisades to see if
she could perceive the animal, and little Trim, the terrier, followed
her. Now Trim was so small, that he could creep between the palisades,
and as soon as he was close to them, perceiving the wolf, the courageous
little animal squeezed through them and flew towards it, barking as loud
as he could. Emma immediately ran in, took down her rifle and went out
again, as she knew that poor Trim would soon be devoured. The
supposition was correct, the wolf instead of retreating closed with the
little dog and seized it. Emma, who could now plainly perceive the
animal, which was about forty yards from her, took aim and fired, just
as poor Trim gave a loud yelp. Her aim was good, and the wolf and dog
lay side by side. Mr and Mrs Campbell, and Mary, hearing the report
of the rifle, ran out, a