“Then,” said he, “you may come directly back, and not wait to have it ground; for I want you to go up to the woods this afternoon, and bring down a load of small spruces, which I cut for rafters.  I want them down before the road gets blocked up with snow.”

The farmer had reflected that, about this time in the winter, they were generally exposed to long and driving snow-storms, by which the roads were often blocked up.  He usually endeavored to get all out of the woods which he had to get, early in the season, while the snow was not deep.  He had now got down all his wood, and all his timber, except one or two loads of rafters; and he wished, therefore, to get those down, so that, in case of a severe storm, he would not have to break out the road again.

Jonas accordingly despatched his preparations for going to mill, as rapidly as possible, and soon was ready.  In driving out, he stopped opposite the place where the farmer was at work upon his frame.

“All ready, I believe, sir,” said Jonas.

“Very well,” said the farmer.  “The pond road is a little the nearest, isn’t it?”

“Yes, sir,” said Jonas.

“And Josey wants to go with you; have you any objection to take him?”

“No, sir,” said Jonas; “I should like very much to have him go.”

“Well, Josey, get your great-coat, and come.”

“O, no, sir,” said Josey; “I don’t need any great-coat; it isn’t cold.”

“Very well, then; jump in.”

Josey got in upon the top of the bags, and Jonas drove on.  After riding a short distance, they turned down by a road which led to the pond, which was now covered with so thick and solid a sheet of ice, that it was safe travelling upon it, and it was accordingly intersected with roads in every direction.  They rode down at a rapid trot to the ice, followed by Franco, who was always glad to go upon an expedition.

The road led them over, very nearly, the same part of the pond that Jonas had navigated in his boat, when he fitted a sail to it,—­though now the appearances were so different all around, that one would hardly have supposed the scene to have been the same.  There was the same level surface, but it was now a solid field, white with snow, instead of the undulating expanse of water, of the deep-blue color reflected from the sky.  There were the same islands, and promontories, and beaches; but the verdure was gone, and the naked whiteness of the beach seemed to have spread over the whole landscape.  It was a very pleasant ride, however.  The road was level, though very winding, as it passed around capes and headlands, and now and then took a wide circuit to avoid a breathing-hole.  The sun shone pleasantly, too.

“I don’t see what signs there are of a snow-storm,” said Josey.

“Such a calm and pleasant day in February portends a storm,” said Jonas.  “Besides, the wind, what there is, is north-east; and don’t you see that snow-bank off south?”