"What is an _efficient_ boy?" asked Josey. "One that has energy and resolution enough to go on and accomplish his object, even if there are difficulties in the way." "Is that what you mean by being efficient?" said Josey. "Yes;--a boy that hasn't some efficiency, isn't good for much." As he said this, Jonas had got one of the oxen yoked. He then went to bring up the other. When the other ox was up in his place, Jonas raised the end of the yoke, and put it over his neck. "You see," continued he, "your uncle wants all those rafters got down. It will be a little harder getting them, in the storm; but I care nothing for that. It will be a great satisfaction to him to have them all safe down here before it drifts. He doesn't _require_ me to go; but if I go voluntarily and bring them down, don't you think that, to-morrow morning, when he finds two feet of snow on the ground, he'll be glad to think that all his rafters are safe in the yard?" "Why, yes," said Josey. "I've a great mind to go with you." "Do just as you please," said Jonas. "Well, do you want me to go?" "Yes, I should like your company very well; and, besides, perhaps you can help me." "Well," said Josey, "I'll go." He accordingly followed Jonas as he drove the oxen along to the sled. Jonas held up the tongue, while Josey backed the oxen, so that he could enter the end of the tongue into the ring attached to the lower side of the yoke. He then put the iron pin in, and all was ready. Jonas drove the oxen along, till he came to the great gate in the back yard, and then he stopped to go and get some chains. The chains he fastened to the stakes, which were in the sides of the sled. Then he opened the great gate, and the oxen went through; after which he seated himself upon the sled by the side of Josey, and so they rode along up into the woods. The storm increased, though very slowly. The road into the woods, which had become well worn, was now beginning to be covered, here and there, with little white patches, wherever new snow, driven along by the wind, found places where it could lodge. At length, however, they came to the