The ice would bear, and what more could skater's heart desire?
At the end of the dark tarn, nearest to the track by which we had approached it, stood a neat little hut; and judge of my amazement when, as we rode up to it, a young gentleman, looking as if he was just going out for a day's deer-stalking, opened the low door and came out to greet us.

Yes, here was one of those strange anomalies peculiar to the colonies.

A young man, fresh from his University, of refined tastes and cultivated intellect, was leading here the life of a boor, without companionship or appreciation of any sort.

His "mate" seemed to be a rough West countryman, honest and well meaning enough, but utterly unsuited to Mr.
K----.

It was the old story, of wild unpractical ideas hastily carried out.