her to perish in that way," observed
Mrs Campbell.

"Well, ma'am, so it does; but necessity has no law. The Indians could
not, if they would, have carried her, perhaps, one hundred miles. It
would have, probably, been the occasion of more deaths, for the cold is
too great now for sleeping out at nights for any time, although they do
contrive with the help of a large fire to stay out sometimes."

"Self-preservation is the first law of nature, certainly," observed Mr
Campbell; "but, if I recollect right, the savages do not value the life
of a woman very highly."

"That's a fact, sir," replied Martin; "not much more, I reckon, than you
would a beast of burden."

"It is always the case among savage nations," observed Mr Campbell;
"the first mark of civilisation is the treatment of the other sex, and
in proportion as civilisation increases, so are the women protected and
well used. But your supper is ready, my children, and I think after
your fatigue and fasting you must require it."

"I am almost too tired to eat," observed Alfred. "I shall infinitely
more enjoy a good sleep under my bear skins. At the same time I'll try
what I can do," continued he, laughing, and taking his seat at table.

Notwithstanding Alfred's observation, he contrived to make a very hearty
supper, and Emma laughed at his appetite after his professing that he
had so little inclination to eat.

"I said I was too tired to eat, Emma, and so I felt at the time; but as
I became more refreshed my appetite returned," replied Alfred, laughing,
"and notwithstanding your jeering me, I mean to eat some more."

"How long has John been away?" said Mr Campbell.

"Now nearly a fortnight," observed Mrs Campbell; "he promised to come
here on Christmas-day. I suppose we shall see him to-morrow morning."

"Yes, ma'am; and old Bone will come with him, I dare say. He said as
much to me when he was going away the last time. He observed that the
boy could not bring the venison, and perhaps _he_ would if he had any,
for he knows that people like plenty of meat on Christmas-day."

"I wonder whether old Malachi is any way religious," observed Mary. "Do
you think he is, Martin?"

"Yes, ma'am; I think he feels it, but does not shew it. I know from
myself what are, probably, his feelings on the subject. When I have
been away for weeks and sometimes for months, without seeing or speaking
to anyone, all alone in the woods, I feel more religious than I do whe