The sun’s bright face was hidden behind a dense veil of sullen clouds; the air, that had been so crisp and clear, seemed dank and heavy like a dungeon’s; and both man and beast moved about in a listless way, as if every movement was an effort. More than once the superintendent’s mind misgave him ere they had gone many miles. He was naturally a cautious, far-seeing man, not disposed to run unnecessary risks, although utterly regardless of personal peril in any matter of duty. Not that he felt any concern on his own account; but he would have felt much easier in his mind had Harry been persuaded to stay at the shanty. Yet how could he reasonably expect that, when he himself was pushing on to the depot? Harry’s argument, that if the superintendent could stand the storm he could also, was not easy to answer, and it prevailed. "If this confounded road was only in better shape, we might get there to-night," said Maynard impatiently that afternoon as the sleigh slowly toiled up a steep ascent, the horses sinking above their fetlocks in the fine dry snow at every step. Had their way been as well broken as a city street they might indeed have accomplished this feat, but under the circumstances the best they could hope for was to reach the depot early on Christmas eve. Harry, understanding that he was the chief object of the superintendent’s concern, felt it incumbent upon him to take as hopeful a view of matters as possible, so he responded in his cheeriest tone,— "Oh, we’ll get there to-morrow afternoon right enough! We’re more than half way to Wolf Hollow now, aren’t we?" "Yes, a good bit more; but there’s the snow beginning. We must drive ahead as fast as we can. It’ll soon be dark." The horses accordingly were urged to the utmost speed possible, and, by dint of some rather reckless driving, Wolf Hollow was safely reached in the face of a blinding snowstorm ere the darkness fell. At this place there stood a shanty which had been abandoned some years before, all the timber being cut in the neighbourhood, and here Mr. Maynard proposed to spend the night. The building was found to be in good condition—quite storm-proof, in fact—and it did not take long to gather an abundant supply of firewood wherewith to expel the cold, damp air that filled it. The horses could not be left out, of course, exposed to the pitiless storm, so they were allotted the farthest corner of the long, low room. The sleigh, too, was brought inside with all its contents. A substantial supper was prepared and enjoyed, the horses were given a good feed of oats, and then both the travellers being thoroughly tired, they fitted up one of the bunks with the sleigh robes, and, so as to waste no heat, lay down side by side, and were soon sound asleep. At daybreak the superintendent got up and hastened to see how matters looked outside. The prospect was anything but cheering.