"Mrs. Moodie, have you any pickled meat?"
"We have just killed one of our cows, and salted it for winter
stores."
"Well, then, fling the beef into the snow, and let us have the
brine."
This was an admirable plan. Wherever the brine wetted the shingles,
the fire turned from it, and concentrated into one spot.
But I had not time to watch the brave workers on the roof. I was
fast yielding to the effects of over-excitement and fatigue, when my
brother's team dashed down the clearing, bringing my excellent old
friend, Miss B - -, and the servant-girl.
My brother sprang out, carried me back into the house, and wrapped
me up in one of the large blankets scattered about. In a few minutes
I was seated with the dear children in the sleigh, and on the way to
a place of warmth and safety.
Katie alone suffered from the intense cold. The dear little
creature's feet were severely frozen, but were fortunately restored
by her uncle discovering the fact before she approached the fire,
and rubbing them well with snow.
In the meanwhile, the friends we had left so actively employed at
the house succeeded in getting the fire under before it had
destroyed the walls. The only accident that occurred was to a poor
dog, that Moodie had called Snarleyowe.
