But, of all the group, none seemed more delighted than John. He stared at the log walls, looked up the chimney, capered round the room with Sailor, and finally getting up in Ben’s lap, put both arms round his neck, and fairly cried for joy.
“How should you like to live on here, Johnnie?” said Ben.
“O, shouldn’t I like it! you’d better believe.”
“I shot two seals the other day, on the White Bull; and within a week I’ve killed fifty birds, of all kinds.”
“Won’t you ask father to let me come on and stay a little while, and go gunning? O, I do miss you so!”
“I shouldn’t wonder if there were ducks now feeding on the flats; take my gun; she’s all loaded.”
The moment Sailor saw the gun taken down, he was all ready: so perfectly was he trained, that when it was not desirable he should play, he would lie still till the gun was fired, and then bring in the game.
“How I should like to be on here in the daytime!” said John. “Do you know, Ben, I was never here in all my life before?”
“Why, Sally,” said her mother, “how did you get over in that dreadful squall? We were all watching you, and felt so worried! Wasn’t you frightened almost to death?”
“No, mother, I wasn’t much frightened; but I was terrible cold, and wet all through. I never saw anything look so good, in all my life, as this great fireplace did, for Ben made a roaring fire in it; and I’m just as happy and contented as I can be.”