their way to the imprisoned animals in the barn, which seemed an endless task. It was quite dark when they accomplished it and sounds of distress greeted them when at last the door was forced open. None of the animals in the barn were seriously injured and they were quickly attended to; but in the chicken-house, which was built against the mountain side, every inmate was found frozen stiff—probably smothered—as the building was completely covered with snow.
Hungry as wolves, Mr. De Vere and Reuben returned to the house for supper, thankful that, excepting the chickens, none of the stock was injured. The path they had made resembled an alley with the snow piled up fully six feet at the sides.
As they neared the kitchen, Margaret's melodious voice rang out:
"Dat awful Day, dat drefful Day,
When hebben an' earth shall pass away.
De's a l'il' wheel er-turnin' in my soul,
De's a l'il' wheel er-turnin' in my soul.
