"Catharine, Louis told an untruth, and acted deceitfully. And look at
the consequences: we shall have forfeited our parents' confidence, and
may have some days of painful privation to endure before we regain our
home, if we ever do find our way back to Cold Springs," replied
Hector.

"It is the grief and anxiety our dear parents will endure this night,"
answered Catharine, "that distresses my mind; but," she added, in more
cheerful tones, "let us not despair, no doubt to-morrow we shall be
able to retrace our steps."

With the young there is ever a magical spell in that little word
_to-morrow_,--it is a point which they pursue as fast as it recedes
from them; sad indeed is the young heart that does not look forward
with hope to the future!

The cloud still hung on Hector's brow, till Catharine gaily exclaimed,
"Come, Hector! come Louis! we must not stand idling thus; we must
think of providing some shelter for the night: it is not good to rest
upon the bare ground exposed to the night dews.--See, here is a nice
hut, half made," pointing to a large upturned root which some fierce
whirlwind had hurled from the lofty bank into the gorge of the dark
glen.

"Now you must make haste, and lop off a few pine boughs, and stick
them into the ground, or even lean them against the roots of this old
oak, and there, you see, will be a capital house to shelter us. To
work, to work, you idle boys, or poor wee Katty must turn squaw and
build her own wigwam," she playfully added, taking up the axe which
rested against the feathery pine beneath which Hector was leaning.