the tin plates were distributed but were only used by Mr. Hardy and
his sons, the others simply taking the joints into their hands and
cutting off pieces with their knives. The operation of skinning the
fowls had not been pleasant to look at, and would at any other time
have taken away the boys' appetites; but their long ride had made
them too hungry to be particular. The result of this primitive
cooking was pronounced to be excellent; and after drinking a mug of
tea all felt ready for work.

"What is to be done first, papa?"

"The first thing is to get these posts into the ground, and to get
up a wire fence, so as to make an enclosure for the animals at
night. We will put in five posts each side, at ten yards apart;
that will take eighteen posts. With the others we can make a
division to separate the sheep from the cattle. Unless we do this
some of them may take it into their heads to start off in the night
and return to their old home."

A spot was soon chosen between the house and the stream on the
right. The distance was soon measured and marked; and while Hans
carried down the heavy posts one by one on his shoulder, the others
went to work. The soil was soft and rich, and the holes were dug to
the required depth in a shorter time than would have been
considered possible. The wire was stretched and fastened, and
before sunset everything was in readiness. The animals were driven
in, and the entrance, which was narrow, was blocked up with
brushwood from the river. Then followed another half-hour's work in
getting up a small shelter with the cases and some of the felting,
for Mr. Hardy and his sons. By this time all were really tired, and