This was gliding down the
frozen snow on the steep side of the dell near the spring, seated on small
hand-sleighs, which carried them down with great velocity. Wrapped in their
warm furs, with caps fastened closely over their ears, what cared they for
the cold? Warm and glowing from head to foot, with cheeks brightened by the
delightful exercise, they would remain for hours enjoying the amusement
of the snow-slide; the bright frost gemming the ground with myriads of
diamonds, sparkling in their hair, or whitening it till it rivalled the
snow beneath their feet. Then, when tired out with the exercise, they
returned to the shanty, stirred up a blazing fire, till the smoked rafters
glowed in the red light; spread their simple fare of stewed rice sweetened
with honey, or maybe a savoury soup of hare or other game; and then, when
warmed and fed, they kneeled together, side by side, and offered up a
prayer of gratitude to their Maker, and besought his care over them during
the dark and silent hours of night.
Had these young people been idle in their habits and desponding in their
tempers, they must have perished with cold and hunger, instead of enjoying
many necessaries and even some little luxuries in their lonely forest home.
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