"You and uncle are wanted in town at once. L. has sent you this letter, and says—" And he whispered a few words in his father's ear.
"I came out to-night, for the ice is getting very bad, and a horse was lost crossing the North River at Duckendorff's to-day. It is freezing to-night, but the moon shows at times through the clouds, and we can get home before one o'clock."
An hour later, Risk and the elder Davies bade a regretful farewell to their young companions. "I am sorry," said the former, "that as yet we have had no story from you, La Salle; but I hope to see you at my house in C., and hear it there when your trip is over. Take care of yourself, and make Lund out a false prophet. Good night, captain, you old croaker;" and the sleigh disappeared in the shadows of the forest-covered lane which led to the beach.
"Well, boys," said La Salle, "the best of our evenings are over, and we must look to boat and gun for our best sport."
"We must have your story, though," said Ben.
"O, of course; but not to-night, for we have much to do to-morrow, to get our boats down for the open-water shooting."
With this no one disagreed; and half an hour later, all were fast asleep.
