So, in an ill humor, he ordered a halt, and the whole outwearied party hastily cooked themselves a meagre supper and lay down in hot haste for rest at last.

And rest they had, for that night the snow, which had been threatening, began to fall, and by daylight a good nine inches lay on the ground.

The children, who had never seen such thick snow before, were delighted; but Foster-father looked fearfully at the passes before them, while the Captain of the Escort fumed and fretted at the non-arrival of his men.

Unless they came soon, he said, if more snow fell, the pass immediately in front of them might be closed for days.

Not that there seemed much likelihood of further storm, for the sky was blue as blue, the air, though keen, pleasant.