es on a sledge; this was the last task that they had to fulfil, and
then Alfred bade adieu to the officers of the fort, as they did not
expect to meet again till the winter was over. Having experienced one
winter, they were more fully prepared for the second; and as Malachi,
the Strawberry, and John were now regular inmates of the house (for they
did not keep a separate table), there was a greater feeling of security,
and the monotony and dreariness were not so great as in the preceding
winter; moreover, everything was now in its place, and they had more to
attend to--two circumstances which greatly contributed to relieve the
_ennui_ arising from continual confinement. The hunting-parties went
out as usual; only Henry, and occasionally Alfred, remained at home to
attend to the stock, and to perform other offices which the increase of
their establishment required. The new books brought by Henry from
Montreal, and which by common consent had been laid aside for the winter
evenings, were now a great source of amusement, as Mr Campbell read
aloud a portion of them every evening. Time passed away quickly, as it
always does when there is a regular routine of duties and employment,
and Christmas came before they were aware of its approach.

It was a great comfort to Mrs Campbell that she now always had John at
home, except when he was out hunting, and on that score she had long
dismissed all anxiety, as she had full confidence in Malachi; but
latterly Malachi and John seldom went out alone--indeed, the old man
appeared to like being in company, and his misanthropy had entirely
disappeared. He now invariably spent his evenings with the family
assembled round the kitchen fire, and had become much more fond of
hearing his own voice. John did not so much admire these evening
parties. He cared nothing for new books, or indeed any books. He would
amuse himself making mocassins, or working porcupine-quills with the
Strawberry at one corner of the fire, and the others might talk or read,
it was all the same, John never said a word, or appeared to pay the
least attention to what was said. His father occasionally tried to make
him learn something, but it was useless. He would remain for hours with
his book before him, but his mind was elsewhere. Mr Campbell,
therefore, gave up the attempt for the present, indulging the hope that
when John was older he would be more aware of the advantages of
education, and would become more at