“I’ve been thinking about my father and mother too--and what they’re doing, and whether they miss me much. We always have such a jolly time on Christmas. Mother gave me this watch last Christmas,” and Paul took his fine gold watch from his pocket, caressed it and returned it to its place again. “It’s a nifty one,” he continued. “Father gave me my pony--the black pony I told you about--‘Pluto’ I call him. But Mother was always afraid he’d hurt me, and never let me go riding alone. Old John--he’s the groom--went with me, and he just kept me to a walk. There wasn’t much fun in that and I soon got tired poking along and didn’t go out much. When I get home again, though, I’m going to have fun with Pluto, and Old John can stay at home.” “Your father must be wonderful rich. I never did be a-horseback, but I has one o’ the smartest punts in Ragged Cove. Dad made un an’ gives un t’ me. I’m thinkin’ I likes a punt better ’n a horse.” And so they talked on as they worked, until darkness came, and they left the woodpile to fill in the time until the bell called them to supper, giving Tammas and Amos a hand, Paul in the blacksmith shop, Dan in the cooperage. When at length the clanging bell called them from work, and they sat down to supper, Tammas announced: “Weel, laddies, ye’ve earned the holiday ye’ll have tomorrow. I’m not given to praisin’ mair than is a just due, but I may say fairly ye’ve weel earned the holiday.” “We’ll have the holiday, then?” asked Paul eagerly. “Can we do as we want to?” “Aye, lad, ye may do as ye wishes. There’s t’ be na work on Christmas day.” “Dan and I were wondering about it. We’ll go hunting, I guess.” “We’ll be startin’ with daybreak,” said Dan. “Ye must na be missin’ the plum duff at dinner, laddies.” “We want to get away. It is too bad to have to miss plum duff, but I guess we’ll have to let it slide, unless Chuck saves some for us.” “Have na fear o’ that. I’ll see he saves ye a full share. Go huntin’ if ye’ve set your hearts on goin’, laddies.” They were away at daybreak. The air was still and piercing cold, driving them to a smart trot to keep their blood in circulation. Dan was an old hand on snowshoes and Paul had already become so adept in their use that he jogged along and kept the pace set by Dan with little difficulty. They took with them their frying pan, their teakettle (a light aluminum pail) and two cups. Their provisions consisted of a small piece of fat pork, some bread, tea, salt and a bottle of black molasses--for here molasses was used to sweeten tea instead of sugar--which Chuck gave them for their dinner. Each carried a share of the equipment slung upon his back in one of their camp bags. Paul took his shotgun, Dan the axe and Paul’s rifle, for the cartridges for his own rifle were nearly gone. They had no intention of making an extended hunting trip. Their chief object was a pleasant bivouac in the forest, where they could enjoy an open fire and freedom from post restraints.