THE SILVER LAKE storms. 155

she sat before the kitchen stove, till
nearly midnight; no other creature in
the house, and no sound to be heard
put the ticking of the tall kitchen clock.
A feeling of drowsiness was coming
yver her, which it was almost impos-
sible to resist, when suddenly the latch
was lifted, the door opened, and looking
round she saw the fierce countenance
of “ Bear-eaten-John,” who coming up
to her demanded “snikei !” (whiskey).

Many a woman would have screamed,
or fainted, under such circumstances,
and any one would have been excusa-—
ple for being a little alarmed ; but Miss
Martha was an uncommonly strong-