halloo every minute or so; if the boy is still on his legs, it will
guide him to us."

"Yes," replied Malachi, "and we may light a pine torch; it might be of
some use. Well, then, let's go in, and tell them that we are going in
search of the boy; as long as Madam knows that we are seeking him, she
will not lose hope, and hope will keep up her spirits for the time, till
she is better prepared for her loss."

There was much good sense and knowledge of the human heart in the
observation of Malachi, who, although he was aware that all search would
be useless, could not resolve to destroy at once all hope in the mind of
the afflicted and anxious mother.

They went in, and found Mrs Campbell weeping bitterly, supported by her
husband and Mary. They stated that they were going to search for the
boy, and bring him home if they could, and, taking three or four pine
torches, one of which they lighted, they set off for the edge of the
forest, where they remained for two hours with the light, shouting at
intervals; but the snow fell so fast, and the cold was so intense, for
the wind blew fresh from the northward, that they could remain no
longer. They did not, however, return to the house, but went to their
own lodge to recover themselves, and remained there till daylight. They
then went out again; the snowstorm had ceased, and the morning was clear
and bright; they went back into the forest (on the road by which they
had come home) for three or four miles, but the snow now fallen had
covered all the tracks which they had made the day before, and was in
many places several feet deep. They proceeded to where Percival was
last seen by John, who had described the spot very exactly; they looked
everywhere about, made circuits round and round, in hopes of perceiving
the muzzle of his rifle peeping out above the snow, but there was
nothing to be discovered, and after a search of four or five hours, they
returned to the house. They found Mr Campbell and Henry in the
kitchen, for Mrs Campbell was in such a state of anxiety and distress,
that she was in her room attended by Mary. Mr Campbell perceived by
their countenances that they brought no satisfactory tidings. Malachi
shook his head mournfully, and sat down.

"Do you think that my poor boy is lost, Malachi?" said Mr Campbell.

"He is, I fear, sir; he must have sat down to rest himself, and has been
overpowered and fallen asleep. He has been buried in the snow, and he
will