122 A Winter-Night's Outing 



admission that we had any fear concerning 

 them. Then, too, the gloomy gullies in the 

 hill-side came to mind. Should we skate 

 into such darkness and startle the wild life 

 there ? 



The suggestion was made, and not one 

 dared say he was afraid. 



We thought of the fun in chasing a coon 

 or skunk over the ice, and bravely we ven- 

 tured, feeling our way where we knew the 

 ice was thin and rough. 



At a bend in the little brook, where a large 

 cedar made the spot more dark and forbidding, 

 we paused a moment, not knowing just how 

 to proceed. 



The next minute we had no time for 

 thought. A loud scream held us almost spell- 

 bound, and then, with one dash, we sought 

 the open meadows. 



Once there, we breathed a little freer. 

 We could see the fast-fading light of the 

 fire, and at last could flee in a known direc- 

 tion if pursued. Should we hurry home } 

 We debated this for some time, but were 

 more fearful of being laughed at than of 

 facing any real danger, and therefore con- 

 cluded, with proper caution, to return. 



