236 EXTRACTS FROM NOTE-BOOKS. CII. XXXIV. 



the water's edge. When there, we were fairly 

 puzzled by the changed aspect of everything ; but 

 suddenly the evening became lighter and the drift- 

 ing snow not quite so dense. We saw that we should 

 soon be able to ascertain where we were, so we 

 halted for a minute or two, stamping about to keep 

 ourselves from freezing. My poor dog immediately 

 crouched at our feet, and curling himself up laid 

 down ; in a few moments he was nearly covered 

 with the snow : but the storm was evidently ceasing, 

 at any rate for a short time, and very soon a small 

 bit of blue sky appeared overhead, but in a moment 

 it was again concealed by the flying shower. The 

 next time, however, that the blue sky appeared, it was 

 for a longer period, and the snow entirely ceased, 

 allowing us to see our exact position ; indeed we 

 were very nearly opposite the house, and within 

 half a mile of it. The river had to be crossed, and 

 it was impossible to find the stepping-stones : but 

 no time was to be lost, as a fresh drift began to 

 appear to windward ; so in we went, and dashed 

 through the stream, which was not much above 

 knee-deep, excepting in certain spots, which we 

 contrived to avoid. The poor dog was most un- 

 willing at first to rise from his resting-place, but 

 followed us well when once up. 



We soon made our way to the house, and got 



