And far the camp must be,
Yet my heart it would be lightsome
If I had but company.

"'And then I sang and shouted,
Keeping measure as I sped,
To the harp-twang of the snow-shoe
As it sprang beneath my tread.

"'Nor far into the valley
Had I dipped upon my way,
When a dusky figure joined me
In a capuchin of gray,

"'Bending upon the snow-shoes
With a long and limber stride;
And I hailed the dusky stranger,
As we traveled side by side.

"'But no token of communion
Gave he by word or look,
And the fear-chill fell upon me
At the crossing of the brook.

"'For I saw by the sickly moonlight,
As I followed, bending low,
That the walking of the stranger
Left no foot-marks on the snow.

"'Then the fear-chill gathered o'er me,