IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) <_ ^ .4^ A.^ 1.0 1.1 lii|21 |Z5 ■tt Ui 122 uf lift ^" 2.0 us lU u liO IJ& IliSill^U^ ' < 6" ► Hiotogreiphic Sciences Carparatton n WIST MAIN STMIT «VIMTH,N.V. 14SM (n*)l73-4S03 ^V' ^ I ^ ^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CiHIVI/ICIVIH Collection de microfiches. Cn«H.„ l„,«,ut. f., Hl.,.,lc.l Mlc,or.p,.ductl.n. / l„.mut c.n.di«, d. n,lc,.r.p,,ductl.n. hl.,.H,«, '^ Tachnical and Bibliographic Notaa/Notas tachniquaa at bibllograpliiquaa Tha inatituta haa attamptad to obtain tha baat original copy avaiiabia for filming. Faaturaa of thia copy which may ba bibliographically uniqua. which may altar any of tha imagaa in tha raproduction, or which may aignificantly changa tha uaual mathod of filming, ara chackad balow. □ Colourad covara/ Couvartura da coulaur nn Covara damagad/ D D D D D D Couvartura andommagAa Covara raatorad and/or laminatad/ Couvartura raataurAa at/ou pallicuMa I — I Covar titia miaaing/ La titra da couvartura manqua Colourad mapa/ Cartaa giographiquaa m* coulaur □ Colourad ink (i.a. othar than blua or black)/ Encra da coulaur (i.a. autra qua blaua ou noira) I — I Colourad plataa and/or illuatrationa/ Planchaa at/ou illuatrationa un coulaur Bound with othar matarial/ RalM avac d'autraa documanta Tight binding may cauaa shadowa or diatortion along intarior margin/ Laraiiura sarr^a paut cauaar da i'ombra ou da la diatoraion la long da la marga intAriaura Blank laavaa addad during raatoration may appaar within tha taxt. Whanavar poaaibia, thaaa hava baan omittad from filming/ II aa paut qua cartainaa pagaa blanchaa ajoutiaa lora d'una raatauration apparaiaaant dana la taxta. mala, loraqua cala itait poaaibia. caa pagaa n'ont paa «ti filmAaa. Additional commanta:/ Commantairaa aupplAmantairaa; L'Inatltut a microfilm* la mailiaur axamplaira qu'il iui a itA poaaibia da aa procurer. Las details da cat axamplaira qui sont paut-Atra uniquas du point da vua bibiiographiqua, qui pauvant modif iar una imaga raproduita, ou qui pauvant axigar una modification dana la mAthoda normala da filmaga sont indiquAa ci-daaaoua. p~| Colourad pagaa/ D Thia itam is fiimad at tha reduction ratio chackad balow/ Ca document aat fiimA au taux da rAduction indlquA ci-daaaoua. Pagaa da coulaur Pagaa damaged/ Pagaa andommagAea Pagaa raatorad and/oi Pagaa reataurAea at/ou paillculAea Pagea diacoiourad. stained or foxet Pagaa dAcolorAas, tachatAes ou piquAes r~1 Pages damaged/ r~1 Pagaa raatorad and/or laminated/ r~71 Pegea diacoiourad. stained or foxed/ □ Pagaa detached/ Pagaa dAtachAes 0Showthrough/ Tranaparance Tranaparance Quality of prir QualltA inAgala de I'impreaaion includea supplementary matarii Comprend du matArial supplAmentaira Only edition available/ Seule Adition diaponibia rn Quality of print varies/ |~~| includes supplementary material/ rn Only edition available/ Pagae wholly or partially obacurad by errata slips, tissuea. etc.. hava been refilmed to enaure tha best possible image/ Lea pagaa totalament ou partiallement obacurcias par un fauiiiet d'errata, una pelure, etc.. ont AtA filmAea A nouveau da fapon A obtanir la meilleure imaga poaaibia. 10X 14X 1IX 22X aix lOX 1 7 12X UX W( 2AX 2tX 32X ' Th* copy filmed hw has lM«n raproduead thanks to tha ganarosity of: Douglas Library Quaan's Univarslty L'axamplaira filmA fut raproduit grica A la g4n4roaltA da: Douglas Library Quean's University Tha images eppearlng here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and In keeping with the filming contract apaclf icationa. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover end ending on the last page with a printed or illuatratad impres- sion, or tlie beck cover when appropriate. All other originel copies are filmed beginning on the first page with e printed or illustrated imprea- sion, and ending on tlie lest page with a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol — ^^ (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol y (meaning "END"), whichever epplies. Las images suivantas ont At* reproduites avac la plus grand soin, compta tenu de ie condition et de la nettetA de i'exemplaire film*, et en conformity evec ies conditions du contrat de filmage. Lea exempleires originaux dont la couvarture en papier est ImprimAe sent filmfe sn commenpant par la premier plat et en terminant soit par la darnlAre page qui comporte une empreinte d'Impression ou d'illustration, soit par la second plat, salon la cas. Tous las autres axemplairas originaux sent fiimto en commenpant par la pramiAre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impreasion ou d'iilustration et en terminant par ia darnlAre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un dee symboles suivants apparaltra sur la darnlAre imege de cheque microfiche, selon Ie cas: la symbols —► signifie "A SUIVRE". Ie symbols V signifie "FIN". IMaps, plates, charts, stc, may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right end top to bottom, as many frames aa required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartas, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmto A des taux da reduction diffArants. Lorsque ie document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA, 11 est film* A partir de I'angle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut an bas. an prenant la nombre d'imagea nAcassaire. Lee diegrammes suivants illustrant ia mAthode. 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 '#■•- >■ \ T0> SUITABLE FOB SCHOOL AND PARISH LIBBABIES, ETC. TAKING TALES. EDITED BT THE LATE W. H. G. XOTOSTOE. Eaoh Tale complete in one yolwne of 64 pp. oroTm dyo'siae, dofh elegant, in large dear type, folly iUustrated, 6i. eaoh. . The object of this Series is to snpply the cottagers and humbler dasses of England, whose knowledge of reading and whose vocabn- laries are limited, with books in dear, laige type, composed of words the TnOft'WW" /\# «.1»J«1» A'' — - •• take in likely < and wb of the ^ iafa^% QUEEN'S J^oo^ UNIVERSITY \ , LIBRARY ne eye can ^ subjects muS3ment \& namber ^r popu- soldiers night fin VI nes , KINGSTON, ONTARIO CANADA Holmwood; or, The ^ew ^a^Ai}^ ^•^ettler. They may als'» he ]ind tvt 4i. eaoh, i» a r, tat paper cover, and they are published i'.-> 1 ur ^/olames, bound in oloth, printed covers, each containing three tales (192 pagob), 1«. 6i<. ; or in two volumes (884 pages), extra cloth, price 8«. 6(1. eaoh. *,* All the numbers and Vohmet may Ifepurehased i^paraUly. Obhtxtb and Famum, West Corner St. Paul's Ohm'ohyard, Lonooh. E. P. DUTTOM AND Oo., NbW ToBK. m ^r^ c.^^ TH£ FOBTUNfiS OF MICHAEL HALE AND HIS FAMILY. A TALE. GRIFFITH AND FABBAN, IVOOMBOBB TO KSWBBIT AKS HABBIB, WEST OOBNEB OF ST. PAUL'S CHUBO^TABD, LONDON. B. P. DUTTON AND Oo., NlW YOBK. K! V Th% righti of Translation and of peproduetion are reswrved. V v?'' /N. ^. ough 'If up rent, ried THB FORTUNES OF MICHAEL HALE. " Swim across the stream, lad, and I'll come to you," answered Rob, who was carrying Tony to the island. Instead of doing that, poor Tommy tried to swim up the stream, and of course was carried lower and lower towards the rapid. Bob found it a hard task to get Tony safe to land. As soon as he had done so, the two scrambled across the island to see what had become of poor Tommy and the canoe. They had not heard his voice for a minute or more. He was not to be seen. An eddy had taken the canoe and carried it nearly over to the other side. ** That eddy will help us," said Rob : "we must go and look for Tommy." Tony did not like to go into the water again ; but Rob, telling him to hold on by the paddle, took the other end in his mouth, and swam boldly off towards the canoe. Tony held on, striking with his legs, but he could hardly help crying out for fear of sinking. He thought all the time of Tommy, and what had become of him. Rob swam on. He was very thankful to reach the eanoe. He then made Tony catch hold of it, and pushed it before them till they reached the bank. They lost no time in drawing it on shore, and they looked round for Tommy. He was not to be seen. Before they could launch the canoe again they had to drag it over the grass a hundred yards or more. Once more in the river below the falls they looked about on every side, shouting Tommy's name. No answer came. It seemed too likely that he was lost. 21 THE FORTUNES OP MICHAEL HALE. They hunted for him round every i^pck, and among all the bushes overhanging the stream, and the fallen trees floating in it, and clinging to the bank with their roots. Not a sign was there of Tommy. The evening was coming on ; it was yet some way to the log hut, where they proposed to step for the night. Though they feared that he was lost, they didSiot like to leave the place without finding his body. They paddled first on one side of the stream, then on the other ; then they went up close to the falls. " We must give it up, I fear," said Rob. '* Poor, poor Tommy ! Oh dear ! oh dear ! " cried Tony. " Why did he go and do it I " . *' It will be sad news at home," said Rob. " I am thankful that it wasn't you, Tony ; but I had rather it had been anybody but Tommy." "Don't let us give up, then," said Tony. " May be he's farther down the stream. I won't believe that he's dead till I see him dead." Strive to the last. That is a good principle. It was one Tony held to, young as he was. They slowly paddled down the stream, looking about them as before. There was a small island some way down like the one above the falls. They paddled up to it, and were going round it, when a log of timber was seen caught in the branches of a tree, which had been blown down, and hung into the water. On the inner end sat Tonuny, clinging to the bough above his head. He still seemed too much scared to know exactly what he was about. When his friends shouted his name, he only answered, ** Yes ; here I 32 ^d among the fallen E)ank with »y. The ay to the he ni|:ht. 'did%ot is body, ^m, then he falls. THE FORTUNES OF MICHAEL HALE. I ft cried "lam rather "May Jelieve J. It They them Jown to it, was had the >ove low ids el [•^;U *»• »» am." Tony, in his joy at getting him back alive, gave him a hug which nearly again upset the canoe. Tommy seemed scarcely to know what had happened, and thought that he was still on the island above the JjUs. It seemed that he had got hold of the log asj^p'was floating by, and that he was carried with it over the falls, and thus his life was saved. The three lads now paddled on till, just at dark, they reached Roland's shanty, as it was called. Roland, an old Scotchman, was an oddity. He called his shanty the White Stag Hotel ; and had, chalked up on a board, a figure, under which he had written " The White Stag. Accommodation for man and beast." Except, however, a gallon of whiskey, a jar of beef-tallow, and some Indian-corn bread, he had nothing to set before his guests. The bread and tallow was washed down with burnt-crust coffee, as they did not touch the whiskey. '* I ken ye'd be glad o' that if ye was lost in the woods," he said, when he saw the faces of the lads. " What mair can ye want ? Dry your clothes, and then there are your beds for ye." He pointed to a heap of spruce fir tops, in a corner of the hut. Though the food was coarse, and their beds rough, the lads slept soundly. They had food of their own, but they wished to husband that for the woods, where they might get none. Leaving the canoe under charge of Roland, the next morning they began their tramp through the forest. The trees were blazed, and there was a beaten track all the way. They were well known to Roland, and as they were setting off he offered Rob the loan THE FOBTUNES OP MICHAEL HALE. of his gun, with some shot and powder, he having had one left by a settler, who had not come back for it. With a good supply of food on their shoulders, and axes in their belts, they went on merrily. CHAPTER IV. Alone a person feels somewhat sad walking on hour after hour through the dark forest, but that is not the case when there are several. The young tra- vellers stopped to dme near a stream, and watched the squirrels busily employed in gathering in their winter stores of butter, hickory, and other nuts. At night they camped out. Cutting a ridge pole, they fastened it between two trees ; and then, on the side next the wind, leaned against it other poles with pieces of bark and branches. In front of this rude hut they made up a large fire, and cut a store of wood to last them all night. Their beds were spruce fir tops, and their coverHds their buffalo robes which they carried strapped on their backs. On the second day, about noon, as they were walking along in Indian file, one after the other, Rob leading, a fine deer slowly trotted across his path. He had time to unsling his gun, which he carried at his back, and to fire before the animal was out of sight. He hit it, but the deer bounded on. He and his companions followed in chase, Rob re- loading as he ran. The blood on the fallen leaves showed that the deer was ahead. On they went, -»--* i© liaving e back for boulders, I7. on hour t is not ^g tra- ^atched n their ta. e pole, pn, on poles f this store were robes were tber, bis I he was OJi, ro- ves Qt, THE FORTUNES OP MICHAEL HALE. mile after mile ; every moment they thought that they would come up with it. At last more blood was seen on the leaves, and in an open glade there stood the stag. Once more, as the young hunters drew near, he was starting off, when Kob fired, and he fell. Here was a fine supply of venison for the rest of their journey. It was a pity that they could not carry the skin. They cut up the animal, and loaded themselves with as much of the best part of the meat as they could carry. This they secured by thongs cut from the skin. The other joints they hung up by the thongs to a tree, while the carcase remained on the ground. While they were so employed, some flakes of snow began to fall. At first they did not think much of this. The flakes were thin, and did not cover the marks on the grass. ** Come, boys, we must hurry on, or we shall not easily find the blaze again/' observed Kob. They walked as fast as they could with their fresh loads. As there was no wind, they did not complain of the cold. The flakes fell thicker and thicker. ** Where is the track ? " cried Rob on a sudden. They could see their footmarks behind them, but in front there was not a trace left. ** Go ahead," said Tony. **'The stag kept a straight line, and we have only to look behind us and see that ours is straight and we shall soon find the blaze." Eob did not think this. He was sure before they had gone far that they were bending very much, now to one side, now to the other. No sun shone. There THiJ FOKTUNES OP MICHAEL HALE. was no wind to guide them. Eob, after some time, remembered that he had heard that the moss grew thickest on the north side of the trees. On that side the trunks looked light and cheerful and on the other dark and spotted. They had gone some way before he thought of this. Tony and Tommy cried out that they were very hungry, for they had had no dinner before they saw the deer. Rob wanted to find the blaze first. They walked on and on, looking care- fully at the trees. No blaze was to be seen. At last the boys said they could go no farther without eating, and Rob himself was very hungry. So they picked up dry sticks ; and soon had a fire blazing, and some bits of venison toasting before it. The snow fell thicker than ever. They scraped some up and put it into their kettle and made some tea. Once more they went on, feeling much stronger. " We must soon find the blaze," Rob said more than once ; but he was wrong. Night drew on. No blaze was to be found. " We must make a camp before it is too dark," he said at last. No time was lost. He had his axe soon at work cutting poles and boughs and fire-wood, the boys help- ing him. A fallen trunk formed the back. Between two in front they fastened a long pole and rested the other poles and boughs between it and the trunk. They did not wish for better beds than the spruce fir tops gave them. A fire soon blazed up in front of the tent. Tony and Tommy were as merry as crickets. They had plenty to eat and the fir tops made them a soft bed, while the fire kept them warm. It was THE FOBTUNES OF MICHAEL HALE. ^oss grew On that »d on the ome way ^y cried I had no i to find ig care- At last eating, 'ted up ne bits hicker into 3 they more No amp 7ork eJp- een the iJf. fir of ;s. a s settled that one of them at a time should keep awake to put wood on the fire. Tommy had the first watch. Then he called Rob when he thought he had watched long enough. Of course Rob got the most watching. At last he called Tony and charged him to keep awake. ** Never fear about me; I'll be broad awake till it*s time to call Tommy again," said Tony. Rob had built up the fire, so that Tony had not much to do. He sat up for some time, warming his hands and watching the blazing logs. Then he thought that he would sit down rather more inside the tent for a little time. He did nod his head now and then, but that was nothing, he thought. He was sure that he had his eyes wide open. After some time he heard a howl — ^then another, and another. A number of animals howled together — wild beasts — ^wolves. Bethought, " I hope that they are a long way off." They were not loud enough as yet to awake his sleeping companions, but they were coming slowly nearer and nearer. Tony rubbed his eyes. Was he awake ? He looked up. The fire was almost out. There was no doubt about the howl of the wolves. They were much nearer than he had fancied. The flame on a sudden burst out of the embers, and out of the darkness several p^irs of fierce eyes glared at him. " Rob I Rob I Tommy I wolves ! " he shouted out, at the same time seizing a stick from the fire, and waving it about. Rob and Tommy were on their feet in a moment, . i THE FORTUNES OP MiCHAEIi HALE. and each taking up a burning stick they made a rush towards the wolves. They were not an instant too soon, for the fierce beasts having scented the veni- son, were just going to rush at them. The fire-sticks kept them off, but they did not go far. There they stood in a circle howling away at the three young travellers. While Tony and Tommy threw more wood on the fire, Kob stepped back and loaded his gun, which he had forgot to reload after the second shot at the deer. The wolves seeing that the fire-sticks did them no barm, and being very hungry, were coming on, when the boys once more shouting at the top of their voices, and stirring up the fire, Rob fired at the biggest of the pack, who seemed to be the leader. Over the creature rolled, and his companions taking flight with fearful yells drew back into the forest. Tony said he was sure they stopped and looked round, every now and then yelling toge- ther, and asking each other to turn back and renew the attack. The lads at last lay down, but all night long the wolves kept up their bowlings close to them with snarls and other noises. "I dare say now that those fellows have got some carcase or other, and are making merry over it," said Rob. The watchmen did not fall asleep again during thj night. When daylight came back the snow had ceased falling, but it lay an inch thick on the ground. « We must find the blaze before breakfast," said Rob, as they strapped their things on to their backs. 28 MMlmpijntP •^fW* THE FORTUNES OF MICHAEL HALE. a rush at too veni- sticks they young more oaded the >t the iting fire, )d to his back 3ped oge- aew the ith ■ me lid 3d id ' 3. In all directions they saw the marks of the wolves' feet on the snow. They followed them up some little way to see what they had been feeding on during the night. " Why if this isn't the very place where we killed the deer and there is our venison still hanging up in the tree, which the brutes couldn't get at, and that made them howl so," cried out Tony, who was a little before the rest. They found then that after all their wanderings in the afternoon they had come back to the very spot they had left at mid-day. They hoped that now, if they made a fresh start, that they might reach the blaze. They more carefully noted the moss on the trees. The sun too shone out brightly. They were stepping out merrily, and they thought that they must be near the blaze, when before them was seen a large cedar swamp. The tree in Canada called the cedar is low, twisted, and knotted, with straggling roots growing in moist ground. It makes a thicket which the wind cannot pass through. Indians often cut a way into a cedar swamp in winter to build their wig- wams in it. The travellers knew that they could not pass through the swamp, which was all moist, sa they had to find their way round it. They fancied that they could not fail to reach the blaze. At last they got very hungry and had to stop and light a fire and breakfast. They knew that they were fortunate in having plenty of foodr, for they had heard of people wandering about in the woods for days together with- out anything to eat. Noon came rouud again. Nq blaze yet seen. THE FORTUNES OP MICHAEL HALE. «i When shall we find our way out of this, Kob ? " asked Tony. "May be in a day or two, may be in a week," answered Eob. Tony and Tommy looked very black at this. They were getting tired walking about all day in the snow, with heavy loads on their backs. Tommy began to cry. Just then a shot was heard. They ran on in the direction from which the sound came, and Rob fired his gun in return. In a few minutes they met a tall, thin, oldish man, with a gun in his hand and a bag at his back. " Why, youngsters, where have you come from ? " he asked. Rob told him. ** Not much out, youngsters ; why you are scarcely more than two hundred yards from the blaze, and haven't been for some time past," the old man replied. " Come, I'll show you." The old hunter stalked away at a great rate, and they followed as fast as they could. "That's your way," he said; pointing to the blazes on the trees. " Push on as fast as you can, or the snow may be down on you, and you *11 not be able to get on without snow shoes. It wouldn't be pleasant to you to be snowed up here in the woods." " No, indeed, master," said Rob ; " especially if we were to have such visitors as came to us last night." The old hunter laughed when Rob told him of the wolves. 90 IS, Bob ? " a week," is. They ^e snow, began to J-^ on in ind Bob By met a d and a ^rom ? " Parcel}' e, and jplied. > and the can, 't be t be Js/' ^ if last ;ho THE FOBTUNES OF MICHAEL HALJfc'. *•■ They won't hurt any body who shows a bold front, for they are great cowards," said the old man. " But woe betide the boy who is caught out alone at night, if any of the savage beasts fall in with him. Still, though I've hunted through these parts more than thirty years, I've heard of very feM people who ever got any harm from them." Bob thanked the old man, who said that his name was Danby Marks. They all walked on together for some time, chat- ting pleasantly. The snow began to fall very thickly again. Bob thought that old Marks was going to leave them. " I see that you are young travellers, and help you a bit may be," said the old man ; way shall be mine." I may "your THE BLACK B8AIIS 07 OAITASA. .Jf He told them much about the birds and beasts and fish of those parts. " The lakes and rivers aro full of fish ; the salmon are very fine. Then there • ' 21 i THE FOBTUNES OP MICHAEL HALE, are sturgeon, and a fish called maskinonge, not known in England; and pike, and pickrel, and white-fish, and trout, and herrings, very like those in salt water; and bass, and sun-fish, and perch, and many others. Anybody may catch them who can. Many are killed with a spear, and others caught with nets of all sorts. Indians catch the white-fish with a scoop-net, like a landing-net, with a long handle. They stand up in their canoes, amid the rapids, and as they see the fish in some more quiet hollow, they, quick as lightning, slip in their nets and scoop him up. They carry torches in their canoes at night, and when the fish swim near, drawn by the light, they dart down their barbed spears and seldom fail to spike. **This isa rich country, indeed, "continuedoldMarks. " Just think of the numbers of deer, the moose, with a heavy head, bigger than the largest horse ; and the cariboo, rather smaller, but more fleet ; and then there's the elk, and other smaller deer. Many and many's the night I've camped out on the snow, with my feet to a blazing fire, wrapped up in a buffalo robe, going after them critters. Then we've black bears, but they don't often attack men, though they are mortal fond of honey, and sheep, or pigs, or poultry, when they can catch them. The wol- verene, is the most savage animal we've got, and as cunning as a fox. They can climb trees, and spring down on their prey. I've known a man try to catch one, and very nearly got caught himself. The racoon is a curious critter, with the body of a 33 f, 1 ILE. ^11011g€ je, not Pickrel, and 7 like those and perch, ■ them who aiid others 3 catch the ^S-net, with tnoes, amid some more jp in their 8s in their ear, drawn spears and ^IdMarks. >ose, with ; and the tnd then Many le snow, »P in a n weVe though or pigs, le wol- 5t, and 3s, and an try mself. yof a THE FORTUNES OP MICHAEL HALE. fox, the head of a dog, and a round, bushy tail. The hind legs are longer than the fore, and both are armed with sharp claws. They live in trees, and leap nimbly from branch to branch. We shoot them sitting on branches, or popping their heads out of some old hollow stump. Then there's the lynx, and the otter, beaver, musk-rat, ground-hog, wood- chuck, flying squirrel, skunk, marten, mink, fisher, hedgehog, and many others. Most of them are eat- able, and the skins of all of them sell for a good deal of money. We have no lack of birds either : wild turkeys, and geese, and ducks, and pigeons, which fly in flocks so thick as to darken the air. A man with a good gun, and who knows how to set traps, need never starve in this country. Not but what 1 say a settler's life is the best for most people. I took to the woods when I was young, and now I am old I have no wife or children to care for me, and that's not the fate I would wish for any of you young people." The old man sighed deeply as he finished speaking. Still Rob was so interested with the accounts of the old trapper's adventures, that he begged he would let him go with him some time into the woods to hunt. Old Marks teadily promised to take Rob with him. They travelled on cheerily, talking on these subjects, though the snow fell so thickly that at last it became heavy work to walk through it. They had to camp out three nights, so little way did they make. Still they did not mind that, as they had plenty to eat, and old Marks told them no end of amusing stories. i I i < M THE FORTUNES OP MICHAEL HALE. At last they reached the town where Susan was at service. She was expecting them, and all ready to start. When, however, her mistress, Mrs. Mason, heard that she intended walking, she would not let her go. She said that it was not fit for a young girl who was delicate, and that she must wait till she could get a lift in a sleigh going that way. Boh said that he would not wait, as he ought to he hack again to help his father. Still the good lady would not give in. CHAPTER V. I Two days passed, and the snow came down again thicker than ever. Then it cleared up. The sky was bright, the vdnd keen, and there seemed every chance of the frost lasting for some days. It was likely, however, that there would be one or two thaws before the regular frost of winter set in. At last Bob thought that he would hire a sleigh to carry his sister. Just then, who should he meet in the street but his neighbour, Mr. Landon. Bob told him of his difficulty. " Just the very thing," said Mr. Landon. " I have bought two sleighs, one which I want to send home at once, as it is for the use of my wife and daughters. You shall take Susan in it, if your brother will wait two or three days longer, and drive the luggage-sleigh with my winter stores. By starting early you will be able to get through half the distance to Boland's shanty by night-fall. Take M **«■ THE FORTUNES OF MICHAEL HAL£. fodder for the horse, and if you cover in the sleigh at night, and keep np a blazing fire, Susan won't be the worse for it. Rob agreed to the proposal. Tony and Tommy were in great glee at the thoughts of driving a sleigh by themselves. Rob had told Mr. Landon that Tony was fully up to the work. As there was no time to be lost, Rob set off the next morning by daybreak, with Susan well wrapped up in buffalo robes. Mr. Landon had to do some business in a distant town, and would not be back for two weeks or so. It seemed certain that the fine weather would last when Rob set out. At last Tony's turn came. His sleigh was only a large box, on runners. Before day broke, he and Tommy were on foot, ready to start. Mr. Landon cautioned them not to delay on the road. " No fear, sir," said Tony. "May be we'll catch up Rob, if he isn't very smart," observed Tommy. Away they drove. There was nothing unusual in giving a sleigh in charge of two such boys as Tony and Tommy. Boys in the colonies are constantly employed in work which men only would undertake in the old country. Tony had often driven sleighs long distances for his former master, so he had no fear about the matter. The horse was a rough ani- mal, well up to bush travelling. If he could not go round a log, he thought nothing of making a leap over it. Away they trotted, the sleigh-bells sounding merrily in the frosty air. Rob's sleigh and several others had passed, so that the snow was beaten 2 " ^i^. *'^ .■ .m 0} I THE FORTUNES OF MICHAEL HALE. pretty hard, while the track was well marked, Tony and Tommy amused themselves by whistling and singing and telling stories, laughing heartily at what each other said. The country looked very different to what it had done ten days before. Everything was white, the boughs hung down with the weight of snow, and where in some places it had melted and frozen again, the trees looked as if they were covered with diamonds and rubies and other precious stones. The horse went well, and they got on famously all day. Before it was dark they reached the spot where Bob and Susan had camped. The boys soon had a fire blazing in front of the hut Rob had built for Susan. They hobbled the horse, and gave him some hay and oats, and then they began to cook their own provisions. It would have been hard to find a couple of more merry and happy fellows ; not that they had forgot the wolves, but they did not fear being attacked as long as they kept up a good fire. This time, however, the one on the watch took care not to fall asleep, and to keep the fire burning brightly. Now and then howls were heard from far off in the depths of the forest, which reminded them of the visitors they might expect if they let the fire out. DayUght came again ; they and the horse break* fasted ; Rud they were once more gliding over the smooth snow, the sleigh-bells sounding merrily in the fresh morning air. As the sun rose, the air be- came warmer and the snow softer, which prevented them from getting on so well as they hoped. As the t« iE. THB FOBTUNES OF MICHAEL HALE. ^ed, Tony istlmg and % at what J different Everything ^ie weight ad melted they were P precious y got on Y reached • It of the Wed the nd then It would 5rry and wolves, as they one on eep the s were which pect if Bun went ronnd, and the trees for a time were cast into shade, long icicles formed on the boughs, which, as a stray beam found its way through the wood, shone like masses of precious stones. The snow had now lasted for some days, and at that early time of the season a thaw might any hour begin. This made the two lads eager to push on ; but ** too much haste is bad speed,'' and they almost knocked up their horse before half the day's journey was over. The evening was drawing on, and they were still a long way from Eoland's shanty. Tony was driving, and making their tired horse go on as fast as he could, when Tommy, looking over his shoulder, saw a huge wolf following close behind them. ** Drive on fast," cried Tommy, pointing at the wolf, " I don't like the looks of that chap." " He's not a beauty, but he won't do us any harm as long as he's alone," said Tony, who was a brave little fellow* "But he isn't alone," cried Tommy, "I see three or four other brutes skulking there among the trees — ^Push on 1 push on I " It was high time, indeed, to push on, for the big wolf was drawing nearer and nearer, and his followers seemed only to be waiting his signal to begm the attack. As the horse, knowing his own danger, galloped on faster, the wolves set up a hideous howl, fearful that their prey would escape them. Tommy seized the whip from Tony and began to lash away at them. •* If I had Rob's gun I'd pay off those brutes," THE FORTUNES OP MICHAEL HALE. s I cried Tony, " slash away Tommy ! keep them off I it won't be pleasant if they catch hold of us." On went the horse ; he did not think of being tired now. It was hard work to guide him between the stumps and fallen trees. Tommy lashed and lashed away, and shouted at the top of his voice. An over- turn would have caused their death, as the wolves would have set on them before they had time to get upon their feet. They were coming to a bad bit of the road where they would have to drive down some steep and rugged places to avoid fallen logs. The wolves seemed to think that this would be their time, for all the pack made a dash at the sleigh. Tommy lashed with his whip with all his might. One big beast was on the point of springing into the sleigh, and the boys, with reason, gave up all for lost» Still, like brave fellows, they strove to the last. "Hit him with the butt end,** cried Tony. Tommy struck the brute with all his might be- tween the eyes. The wolf fell back, but others were coming on. A moment afterwards two more sprang up at the sleigh. One of them Tommy treated as he had done the first, but the other was just seizing him by the leg, and a third was flying at Tony, who, having to guide the horse, could not defend himself, when a bullet whistled by and knocked over one of the animals. The others, frightened by the report, stopped short, and Tommy had time to hit the wolf just going to lay hold of Tony. ** Well done, youngster, well done,** cried a man who just then stepped out of the bush. ** If I hadn't THE FORTUNES OF MICHAEL HALE. .«r * *< voma AUD xoi»i attaokbd bt xob wolvkIi m THE FOBTUNBS OF MICHAEL HALE. come jnst in the nick of time it would have been the worse for you, though." The boys saw that the man was their friend Danby Marks. Tony had hai;^ work to stop the frightened horse, and could not have done it if the old man had not caught the reins and soothed the animal. A second shot from his rifle, by which another wolf was killed, sent the whole cowardly pack howling back into the forest. " You must let me go as your guard for the rest of the way," said the old hunter, as he stepped into the sleigh and bade Tony drive on, " Don't suppose, though, I came here by chance," he added; " nothing ever does happen by chance, and I am here to-day because I met Bob, and as his mind misgave him, he begged that I would come and look after you." Tony and his friend thanked the old man heartily for the help he had given them. ** Yes, indeed, Mr. Marks : we should have been made into mince-meat by this time if it hadn't been for you," said Tony. It was, indeed, a good thing for the lads that the old trapper found them when he did, even if there had been no wolves ; for the night came on very dark, and without him they could not have found their way to Eoland's shanty. In the night the wind changed, the rain came down in torrents, and the remainder of the road along the banks of the river and the shore of the lake was impassable. They had, therefore, to follow Mr. Landon's orders, to leave the sleigh under Boland's care, and to go home in the canoe. 40 THS FOBTUNES OF MICHAEL HALE. )en the Danby htened mhad al. A Jr wolf >wliiig 8 your iinter, drive nee," h and IS his e and artily. ,Mr. meat tthe here lark, heir mid the iver hey to go CHAPTEKVI. Old Marks offered, the next morning, to go with them, telling them that the current in the river was so strong that they would not stem it by themselves. They saw that he spoke the truth, and were very glad to have his help. The rain ceasing, they started soon after breakfast with as much of Mr. Landon's goods as the canoe would carry. Tony thought Kob a very good canoe-man, but he found the old trapper a far better ; and it was curious to see the way in which he managed the canoe, even among rapids, into which few persons would have ventured. His strength, too, was very great — for he dragged the canoe, heavily laden as it was, all the way along the portage over the snow ; for the frost came on again that evening, and in exposed places hardened the ground. They found it much colder camping out by the lake than they had done in the woods. As soon as it was dark, the old trapper lighted a torch, and with a spear went out in the canoe. The fish came up to the light as moths do to a candle, and were seen by the old sportsman's sharp eye; and in the course of a few minutes he had killed more fish than ho and his two young companions could eat for their supper and breakfast. With the canoe to keep off the wind, and a blazing fire, they did not complain of the cold. The paddle across the lake, however, exposed to the biting wind, was the coldest part of the journey. 41 ■M' THE FOBTUNES OF MICHAEL HALE. They had made some way along the lake, when Tommy, who had nothing to do but to look about him, said that he saw some one walking about on an island, and making signals. *' Some Indian just warming himself this cold day," said Tony laughing. "May be, it's no business of ours," said Tommy* " Boys, if a fellow creature is in distress, it's our business to go and see if we can help him," observed old Marks gravely, and turned the head of the canoe towards tne island. " If he's not in distress it is only a little of our time lost, and better lose a great deal than leave a human being to perish, whatever the colour of his skin." Tony and Tonamy felt rebuked for their careless- ness. On getting near the island, who should they see but Pat Honan, one of the men who had been employed chopping for Michael Hale. He now looked very blue. He could not speak, and could scarcely move his hands. ** He'd have been frozen to death in a few more minutes," said Marks. "Light a fire, lads, quick, and we'll warm him up." He threw one of the buffalo robes over the man, and poured a few drops of whiskey down his throat, while the boys made up a blazing fire. Marks turned poor Fat round and round before it, rubbing and beating him. As soon as Pat could speak, he cried out, " Arrah, it was the whiskey, the whiskey did it all ; ahone, ahone 1 if it wasn't for that, Pater Disney might have been alive and well." 41 THE FORTUNES OP MICHAEL HALE. " What about Peter Disney ?" asked Marks. " Oh, ahone, ahone ! he lies out there stark and cold/' answered Pat, pointing to the other end of the island. As soon as Pat got well enough to be left for a little while, with Tommy to look after him and keep up the fire, Marks and Tony paddled round to where he pointed. There they found a boat knocking against some rocks, and, on landing, not far off was the body of Peter Disney, frozen stiff, though covered up with a blanket. He was sitting upright with his mouth open. A dreadful picture. Nothing could be done for him, so they again covered him up, and towed the boat out from among the rocks. " I should like to write over his head, * Drink did it,'" said the old man : " if I was more of a scholar I would." As the Q'anoe would not hold another passenger, they all got into the big boat and towed her. Marks, Pat, and Tommy took the oars while Tony steered. " Well, Pat, how did it happen ?" asked Marks. " Why, do you see. Pater and I was going to do some work for a new settler at the farther end of the lake, and so we hired a boat to make a short cut — a long cut it'll be for Pater, seeing he'll never get there ; och, ahone, ahone I Says Pater, 'We'll not do without provisions, Pat, and so I'll be after getting some, and jist a drop of whiskey to wash them down.' I axes him if he'd got them all right. ' All right,' says he, as we shoved off. All right it wasn't though, for when I came to ax for some bread and cheese THE FORTUNES OF MICHAEL HALE. and a slice of pork, he hadn't got any. Indeed, faith, he'd forgotten all else hut a big bottle of the cra- tur. * It's a bad bargain,' says I ; but I thought we'd make the best of it. We rowed, and we took a pull at the bottle, and we rowed again, and then another pull ; but Pater took two pulls for my one — ^worse luck for him, — and so we went on till somehow or other we both fell asleep. When we woke up, there we were in the middle of a rice-bed. How to get out was a hard job, when Pater, in trying to shove with the oar, fell overboard. I caught him by one leg just as he was going to be drownded entirely, but he was little better than a mass of ice in a few minutes, in spite of the whiskey inside of him. I at last got him on shore, and covered him up with a blanket, but before long he was as stiff as an icicle, and though I shouted as loud as I could, and bate him with a big stick, I couldn't make him hear or feel. Ahone, ahone ! och the whiskey ! I'd rather that never a drop should pass my Hps again, than to die as Pater Disney." Several families of Irish had lately arrived at the settlement, to some of whom Peter Disney was re- lated. As soon as Pat Honan drew near the shore, where many of them were standing watching the boat, he shouted out that Peter was dead. Forthwith they set up a fearful howl, in which others as they came up joined them, till the whole party were howl- ing away in concert, led by Pat, who cried out, " Ah, it was drink — the cratur, — 'twas drink, drink that did it." «4 LE. • ndeed, faith, of the cra- ihought we'd ) took a pull hen another — ^worse luck V or other we e we were in t was a hard the oar, fell st as he was 8 little hotter spite of the m on shore, before long ! shouted as big stick, I ahone ! och drop should Disney." •ived at the .ney was re- the shore, atching the Forthwith ers as they were howl- id out, irink, drink THE FORTUNES OF MICHAEL HALE, Rob and Susan had arrived safely with the sleigh. As soon as the ground hardened. Bob set off in the canoe, and brought the luggage-sleigh home by the snow road formed through the woods, along the bor- ders of the lake. CHAPTER VII. Though most out-of-door work comes to a standstill in winter, chopping can still be carried on, fallen trees cut up and fresh trees cut down. One of the customs of the country is to form a bee when any particular piece of work has to be done in a hurry. Such as a log hut or a bam raised, or some ground cleared. The bees are the neighbours who come from far and near ; they receive no wages, but are fed well, and whiskey is served out too well while they are at work. The more industrious among the settlers employed the time in the house in making household furniture, mending their tools, and in many other ways — not forgetting reading the Bible to their families. The winter was already some way advanced when most of the inhabitants of Thomhill were invited to chop trees and to put up a log hut, by a gentleman, a Mr. Sudbury, who had bought land about three miles off and wished to get in some crops as soon as the snow was off the ground. Michael Hale, and Rob, and John Kemp, and Mr. Landon, and many others went They expected 41 THE FORTUNES OP MICHAEL HALE. clear half an acre of ground, and to get the walls and roof of the log hut up in one day. Most of the settlers in ThornhiU were well, in spite of the cold, except Mrs. Kemp. She had for some time been ail- ing, and expected soon to give birth to another child. Mrs. Hale had gone in to have a chat with her, and to help her in some household matters, when Tommy came running in breathless. ** What's the matter, Tommy ; eh boy ?/' asked Mrs. Hale. /; "A big tree has come down at Mr. Sudbury's clearing, and killed, or pretty nigh killed, some one. Nobody knows who it is, but I hope it's not father, nor Mr. Hale either." These words frightened both the wives, who wanted to set off at once. " No, no, I'll go," said Mrs. Hale. " You stay quiet at home, Mrs. Eemp.* It's the only fit place for you." ^ Just then, one of the Miss Landon's came in to see Mrs. Eemp. She said, if Tony, who had come up with his mother, would go with her, she would set off at once, with such things as were likely to be of use to the sufferer, whoever he might be. < M TEE FOBTUNES OF MICHAEL HilLE. was killed. The shock was too great for one in her weak state. Just before her husband was brought home, she had died, giving birth to a tenth child. " God's will be done," whispered John Kemp, when he heard of his wife's death, « He will take care of our poor orphan children." Before the night was over John himself had re- joined his wife in another world. His prayer was heard, and his faith in God's love rewarded. A meeting of all the settlers was called. Mr. Landon proposed raising a subscription for the orphans. " That is not wanted," said Michael Hale, " I will take charge of two of them, and more, if the rest do not find homes — ^Fanny and Tommy shall become my children." " And I will take another girl then," said Mr. Landon ; ** and the poor infant, my daughter will nurse it." ** I will take a boy," said Mr. Sudbury. Thus the children were quckly disposed of among some of the kindest and best of the people in the settlement. The orphans became really and truly their children, and were treated in no respects differ- ently. There was nothing uncommon in this. The same thing is done in all parts of the province, and those who thus protect the orphans seldom fail to receive a blessing on their homes. Fanny and Tommy soon learned to look on Mr. and Mrs. Hale as their parents, and to render them the same obe- dience and affection that they would havq done haf they really been 80, THE FOBTUNES OF MICHAEL HALS, CHAPTER VIII. ^0 one finds settling in a new country all smooth work ; and if a man cannot look ahead and think of what his labour is sure to produce, he will often be very much down-hearted. Some people give up when, if they had held on, they would have succeeded at last. Michael Hale was not one of the give-in sort. The winter in Canada lasts a long time, but most people who have plenty to do like it very much. Michael Hale's public room was a good large one, and as soon as the day's work was over, and supper eaten, he set everybody to doing something or other. The girls had always plenty to do to spin and knit and sew. The boys, too, learned to knit, so that they could knit their own stockings. There was a handloom weaver among the settlers, and from him David learned to weave what his sisters spun. From this time, except a little calico, there was very little in the way of clothing the family had to buy. Tony learned cobbling, and, in time, to make shoes. Bob was a first-rate carpenter. The younger boys helped their brothers. Those were pleasant evenings, as they sat round the blazing fire which made amends for the poor light of the tallow lamps. One evening Rob and David had to go out to look after one of the cows which was sick. They did not much Hke leaving the cozy fireside for the freezing night air. ** It must be done though," said Rob ; ** come along, David." No sooner did they open the door than they heard a strange squeaking from the 2 THE FORTUNES OF MICHAEL HALE. i| pig-sty, which they had wisely built at some little dis- tance from the house. It was a bitter night. They stopped an instant to listen, and in that instant their hair and eyebrows and eyelashes were frosted over. The squeaking went on. " Some creature must be among the pigs,*' cried Rob. "Run back for the gun, David, I'll go and see." While David went in to get the gun, Rob, with a thick stick and a lantern in his hand, hurried down to the pig-sty. One fine porker lay bleeding on the ground, and another was not to be seen. A faint squeak from the forest on one side showed where he was gone. Rob calling on David to follow, ran on in the hopes of catching the thief. He hadn't got far when the Hght of the lantern fell on the back of a shaggy-haired beast, which he at once knew to be that of a bear. In its fore-paws it carried the missing porker, which still sent forth a piteous cry for help. Rob soon overtook the bear and gave him a no gentle tap on the back of his head. Bruin, not liking this, dropped the pig and turned round to face Rob, while piggie, having still the use of his legs, ran off towards his sty. The bear seemed resolved to vent his rage on Rob, who stood ready to receive him with his thick stick, flourishing it before his face. With a loud growl the angry bear sprang on Rob. " Fire ! fire 1 " cried Rob, "he is biting my shoulder." David was afraid of hitting his brother, he did not therefore fire till he got close up to them, and then, putting the gun to the bear's head, he pulled «a THE FORTUNES OF MICHAEL HALE. the trigger. Over rolled the creature, and Bob waa set free. He was much hurt, but his thick coat had saved him from a worse wound. The snow was hard, so that they were able to drag the carcase over it to the house. One of the pigs was so much hurt that Bob was obliged to kill it, while the other, which had been carried off, escaped without much damage. After doctoring the cow they appeared at home with their prize. It made more than amends for the loss of the pig; for in Canada, in winter, it matters not how much meat is in store, as once frozen it will keep till the warm weather returns. Cft " people have a dozen turkeys and twice as m -'. >' Lowls, and small animals, and fish hanging up in their larders, at once. In the markets, fish, flesh, and fowl are also sold in a frozen state. The bear was quickly skinned and cut up, but he was frozen almost hard before the work was finished. The next day Rob's shoulder hurt him so much that he was obliged to stay at home. Susan and his mother doctored it as best they could, but he did not get better. At last they went up to Mr. Landon's house, to ask what they ought to do. Though it was one of the coldest days, Mrs. and Miss Landon hurried down to the hut. They soon saw that, with- out great care, the matter might become serious. Having left a lotion and some medicine, with direc- tions how to treat Rob, they were on their way, home when they saw a thick smoke curling up into the sky ^abovo where their house stood. Mary hurried on till she could see the house itself. Fire was coming out of the roof. * THE FORTUNES OF MICHAEL HALE. tt Oh, mother, do you go back to the Hales and ask for help, and I will run on and see what can be done at once," she exclaimed. As soon as Mrs. Landon reached the Hales, Tommy ran to call Michael and his two boys, and Pat Honan, who was working for them. Mr. Landon and his only son, George, was away. Mary found Biddy M'Cosh, the servant-girl, wringing her hands and running about not knowing what to do, while her youngest sister was asleep, and the next was crying, seeing th&t something was the matter but not knowing what it was. Mary's first thought was to place her little sisters in safety, the next was how to put out the fire and save the furniture. The children she carried, with some bedding, to an outhouse, and wrapped them up warmly. While doing this, she sent Biddy in search of a ladder. By it she bravely mounted to the roof. Biddy had made up too large a fire in the stove and heated the flue. This had set fire to the wooden roof. No water was to be had ; every drop around was frozen. ** Biddy, a shovel I " cried Mary. With it she shovelled the snow over the roofy but it did Httle even in checking the flames. While she was so employed, her mother and Mrs. Hale and Susan arrived. Bob followed — nothing would stop him. Susan climbed, up to the roof, with her, and the two girls worked bravely together. Bob said that he must go up and help them, but his mother held him back. -^ •* It will be his death if he goes up there," said^ 64 THE FORTUNES OF MICHAEJ:i HALE. Mvs. Landon. " If you must work, Rob, help us to get out the furniture." While they were thus employed, Michael Hale and his two sons and Honan and other neighbours arrived. The two girls came down from their post of danger and the men took their places, but they could not with the snow alone stop the flames. There seemed every chance of Mr, Landon's houso being burnt down. "I've seen salt melt snow. If there is in the house a cask of meat in brine that may help us," exclaimed Bob. There was one. It was brought out, the head knocked in, and the brine poured out in small quan- tities on the snow. Wherever the brine dropped the snow melted, and the fire was put out. It was some time, however, before all danger was passed. A large part of the roof was damaged and the house made unfit to be inhabited. " Oh, Mrs. Landon, ma'am, I hope that you will honor us by coming down and taking up your abode with us till the roof is on again," said Mrs. Hale in a kind voice. ** Susan will take care of Miss Mary and the little ones, and Mr. Landon and your son George will be sure to find lodgings with other friends till the house w set to rights again." Mr. Landon had suffered so many ups and downs in life that when he arrived he was not very much put out at the injury done to his house. He was only thankfu] that his wife and cliildren had escaped injury. THE FOBTUNSS OF MIOHAEL HALE. A bee was formed, and in a couple of days the roof was replaced, and in less than a week the house again habitable. i CHAPTEE IX. The winter was drawing to an end. It had not ap- peared very long, after all — everybody had been so busy. Michael and his sons were now at work cutting out troughs for «ugar making. In Canada the maple yields a sap which, when boiled, turns into sugar. A number of maple-trees together is called a sugar-bush. The troughs are made of pine, black ash, or butter-nut, and each holds three to four gallons of sap. The snow was still on the ground, when early in March, Michael and his sons, and Susan and Fanny and Tommy set off with their sugar kettles, pails, ladles, big store troughs, small troughs, and moulds, to the sugar-bush two miles from the house. They first built huts for the kettles and for themselves ; fixed the store trough and cut a supply of fuel for the fires. They next tapped the maple-trees on the south side, with an auger of an inch and a half. Into this hole a hollow spile was driven. Under each spile a trough was placed. As soon as the sun grew warm the sap began to flow and drop into the troughs. The girls and boys had soon work enough to empty the troughs into a large cask on the eleigh. This, when fall, was carried to the boiling- THS FOBTUNES OF MICHAEL HALE. sheds and emptied into the store trough. From this the kettles are filled and kept boiling night and day, till the sap becomes a thin molasses. It is then poured into pails or casks, and made clear with eggs or milk stirred well into it. The molasses are now poured again into the boilers over a slow fire, when the dirt riseK t^ le top, and is f^kimmed off. To know when lo hau joiled enough, a small quantity is dropped on the snow. If it hardens when cool it has been boiled enough. It is then poured into the moulds, when it quickly hardens and is ready for use. Very good vinegar can be made by boiling three pails of sap into one, and then adding some yeast, still better is made from the sap of the birch ; beer is made both from maple and birch sap, and a flavour given by adding essence of spruce or gin- ger. Boiling the sap and molasses requires con- stant attention, as there is a danger of their boiling over. While Michael and Rob attended to the boiling, David and Tommy drove the sleigh, and the rest took care of the troughs. They had a large number of troughs, and some were a long way from the boil- ing-sheds. Michael and his son had filled the kettles, which they did not expect would boil for some little time, when Tommy came running up to say that the sleigh had stuck fast between two stumps, and that he and David could not clear it, while one of the oxen had fallen down and hurt itself against a log. On hearing this, Michael and Bob, thinking that there «7 THE FORTUNES OF MIOHAEL HALE. would be plenty of time to help David, and to get back before the sugar boiled, ran to assist him. They found the sleigh firmly fixed, and it took them longer to clear it than they had expected it would. They had just got it clear, when a loud bellow reached their ears from the direction of the boiling- sheds. Leaving David and Tommy to manage the oxen, Michael and Bob ran back to their charge. They arrived in time to see one of their cows, with her muzzle well covered with molasses, galloping off through the bush, followed by her companions, while the kettle lay upset, the contents streaming out on the fire, and burning away, and threatening to set all the sheds in a blazo. The cows had found their way into the bush, and being fond of sugar, one of them had put her muzzle into the boiling hquid, little expecting to have so warm a greeting. " I hope it will teach her not to steal sugar for the future,'' observed Michael, as he and his son righted the kettle. They had to pull down some of the shed before they could put the fire out ; but such trifling events were too common in the bush to disturb their tempers, and they were thankful that matters were no worse. Just before this, a neighbour's cow had got into his sugar bush and drank so much cold molasses that she burst and died. Michael determined another year to enclose his sugar bush to prevent any such acci- dents. In two weeks enough sugar was made to last the family all the year, to make all sorts of preserves, 88 THE FORTUNES OF MICHAEL HALE. besides a good supply of beer and vinegar. With the vinegar they could pickle onions, and all sorts of vegetables, for winter use. Vegetables are also preser- ved during the winter in cellars, dug generally under the fire place, in a log hut. A trap-door leads to the cellar. Here potatoes, carrots, turnips, and other roots are stored, and kept free from frost. The snow at length melted, and spring came on as it were in a day. From sunrise to sunset every man and boy was now hard at work, chopping, burning, and clearing the ground to put in the spring crops. Not an hour was to be lost, for the sun shone bright and warm, the grass sprang up, the leaves came out, and flowers burst forth, and it seemed as if the summer had begun as soon as the winter had ended. The summer was hot, and soon ripened the crops, and the harvest was good and plentiful. CHAPTER X. Four years had passed away, and Michael Hale and his family had began to reap the fruits of their industry. They had forty acres of land cleared, enough to bear crops. Two acres were planted with apple-trees, which abeady yielded a large supply of fruit. The apples were packed in casks, and were then fit to be sent off to distant markets. Some were peeled, cut in slices, d^ ed in the sun, and hung up for home winter use. They had several cows and oxen, and a flock of «9 THE FOBTUNES OF MIOHAEL HALB. slieep, and pigs, and poultry. As they frequently killed oxen, and slieep, and pigs, for their own use, they were able to form a store of fat for making candles and soap at home. Indeed, Michael was rapidly becoming a substantial farmer. He was not, however, without his sorrows and trials. Susan had never co'upletely recovered, and the year after he settled at Thornhill she had died of consumption. Fanny Kemp watched over and attend- ed her as a sister to the last, and now so completely filled her place, that no one would have thought that she was not a daughter. Rob, indeed, hoped to make her one ere long. He had loved her for many years ; but, like a good son, felt that he ought not to marry and set up for him- self till he had helped his father to settle comfortably. He now opened the matter to his father. ** There's one thing, however, I want to do first, that is to see you and mother in a well-plastered house," he said, after he had got Michaers consent to his marriage. ** We'll get that put up during the summer, and this old log house will do for Fanny and me for another year or two. There's only one thing I ask. Don't tell mother what we are about. It will be a pleasant surprise to her. She was saying, only the other day, that she wished that she had a house with another floor." When Mr. Landon heard that Rob was going to marry Fanny Kemp, he called him aside one day, and said, "If your father will give you twenty acres of his land, I will give you another twenty acres alongside THE FORTUNES OP MICHAEL HALE. it, and will, besides, stand the expense of a bee, and have a house put up for you in no time. Your father was kind to me when I was burnt out of my house, and has given me much good advice, by which I have profited. His example made me work in a way I do not think I should have otherwise done." Rob thanked Mr. Landon very much, but told him of his wish first to help his father build and settle in a comfortable plastered house. " You set a good example, Rob ; and I hope other young men will follow it. A dutiful son will make a good husband, and little Fanny deserves one." The new house was to be in a very different style from the old one. The first thing was to burn the lime. It was found on the top of the hill, and brought down in carts to a piece of ground, the trees on which had just been cut down. These were now piled up in a large heap, and the limestone placed above. By the time the log heap was burned, the lime was made, but it took some time to clear it from the ashes. A wood of fine elm-trees grew near. A number of them were felled to form the walls. In i^any respects, a well-built log house, when well plastered, is better than one of brick or stone in that climate. At the end of the lake a saw-mill had lately been established. Rob, David, and Tommy set out in the canoe to bring home a supply of planks from the mill. Rob took his gun, in the hopes of getting a shot at wild-fowl. On their way, when passing an island, a deer, which seemed to have taken refuge there, started out, and plunging into the water, swam rapidly across the lake. 61 THK FORTUNES OP MICHAEL HALE. Bob fired, and hit the deer, which made directly fot the shore. Ju3t as it neared it, some Indians who had been fishing in a canoe overtook it ; and weak from loss of blood, it was killed by a few blows from their paddles. The Indians seemed to think it their prize. " Come shore— you have part," said their chief, in broken English. if'-"' CANADTAK IKDIAKS HT TBBIH WAR DRESSES. !Rob thought this was better than the risk of a quarrel. Near the spot was an encampment of Lidians. Those in the canoe let him know that they would consult their friends as to how much of the deer he ought to have. Rob and his companions climbed up the hill, and watched the Indians, who stood grouped below. They were dark-skinned men, of a dull copper hue. They were in their full war dresses. Their cheeks were mostly painted red, but some had put on other colours. In their heads they wore feathers and bead ornaments. Their coats were of untanned loatheri G2 THIS FORTUNES OF MICHAEL HALE. irectlyfot lans who >^d weak w blows to think chief, in 1 A of a 5nt of t they >f the and Blow, hue. eeks ther )ead heXf ornamented with beads, as were their leggings andt boots, or mocassins. Some, however, were dressed more comfortably, in coats cut out of blankets, mak- ing the dark borders come in as ornaments. Their tents, or wigwams, were in the shape of a sugar-loaf. They were formed of long poles, stuck in the ground, about six inches apart ; the round being about ten feet across, and the poles fastened together at the top. This was thickly covered with large pieces of birch bark. Mats were spread on the ground, except in the middle, where a place was left for a £re. On one side a hole was left to serve as a door, with a blanket I ung upon a line across it. This is the Indian's house throughout the year, and in winter, whan put up in a sheltered spot, can, with the help of a fire inside, be kept quite warm. Bob and David went inside one of them. The women, who were dressed in blanket, petticoats, and cloaks, received them very kindly, and laughed and chatted away as if their visitors could understand what they said. Lines were fastened from side to side across the tent, on which were hung household vitnsils, clothes, and all sorts of things, and a sort ot cradle, with a baby fastened on to it. The little creature could not move hands or feet, but seemed perfectly happy. In a little time the men came back, saying that a haunch and a leg should be theirs. These parts W6re placed in the canoe ; and, after a friendly parting with the Indians, Rob and his companions, paddled off towards the mill. It was late when they reached it ; but the weather w . » ( '■■ n^ J HL # mj » — - '« " *^ww THE FORTUNES OF MICHAEL HALE. was fine, there was a bright moon at night, and they determined to start back at once. They bought three thousand feet of boards, with which they formed a raft. Soon after the sun rose they reached the landing place near their home. Mr. Landon kept to his promise to call a bee, and in three days a substantial log house was erected, and the planks laid down of the ground and upper floors. The rest of the work, it was left to Rob and his brothers to finish. Great was the surprise of Mrs. Hale, when her sons, with her husband and Fanny, took her to see the house which she had thought was being built for some stranger coming to the settlement. ** It's yours and father's, mother, just an offering from your children," said Rob. "If you will let Fanny and me have the old one, we hope to make ourselves happy in it." Mrs. Hale thanked her dutiful children, and thanked God for having brought them to a country where their industry and perseverance had been so fully rewarded. '■''I ''\'f \ \,i i ht, and bought ih they reached )ee, and erected, i upper iob and ten her r to see g built )ffering win let I make and ountry )6n so FOB SUNDAT SCHOOL BEWABDS, ETC. OUR BOY'S LITTLE LIBRARY. nOTUBES AND BBADINa FOR LITTUB FOLK. A MTtM of Tu)«Ioe f'yegan^ Uttla vohimu in Papar Board$, vith attroottva Covers in ChromolUhograplvu, price 4d. each ; or in cloth taetra, price 6cl. taeh. The 12 vole, in a Box loich Panoy Lid, price 4s. and 8s. JBvery page is Illustrated. 1. Fapa'i Pretty aut Book. 7. Little Tommy's Story Book. 3. Mamma's Pretty Gift Book. 8. Bright Picture Pages. 8. Veddy'B Picture Story Book. 9. My Little Boy's Story Book. 4. Stories for Play Time. 10. What Santa Clans gave me. 5. The Christmas Gift Book. 11. Tiny Stories for Tiny Boys. 6. The Prise Picture Book. 18. Little Boy Bine's Picture Book. OUR GIRL'S LITTLE LIBRARY. PIOTXJBBB AND BBADING FOB LITTLE FOLK. A aeries of Twelve eleaant little volumes in Paper BoarAe, with attraotivs covers in ChromoUthoffraphy, pnoe 4d. each ; or in cloth extra, price 6d. each. The 12 vols, in Bo» with Fancy Lid, price 4s. and 9a. Every page ie niustratsd. 1. Hellie's Picture Stories. 7. Daisy's Picture Album. 8. Stories and Pictures for Little 8. Wee-Wee Stories for Wee-Wee Tronhlesome. Oirls. 3. Little Trotabont's Picture 0. Kay's Little Story Book. Stories. 10. Oipsy's Favourite Companion. 4. Birdie's Scrap Book. 11. My Own Story Book. 5. Stories for Little Curly Locks. 18. Pretty Pet's Gift Book. 6. Bright Pictures for Roguish Eyes. THE TINY NATURAL HISTORY SERIES OF BTOBT BOOKS ABOUT ANIMALS FOB LITTLB BBADBBS. ^11 prt^ttssly lUustratsd by the best artiste. Price Od. each, elegantly bound in Paper Boards, with Covere in Ohromolithoyraphy. Ih one way or another, the booki either impart knowledge about A nim a l s or inculcate the deslrableneM ot treating them with kindneM. Little Vellie's Bird Cage. The Tiny Menagerie. The Dog Postman. The Misohievous Monknr. Lily's Letters firom the farm. Our Dog Prin. Little Neddie's Menagerie. Frolicsome Frisk and his friends. Wise Birds and OleTer Dogs. Artful Pussy. The Pet Pony. Bow Wow Bobby. The above 12 vols, in Cardboard Boa with Picture Top, prioe 9s. WEST CORNER OF 8T. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD, LONDON. >i L BOOKS FOB THE HOME CIBOLE. Mamma's BiUe Storiet tar her little Boys and Oirls. With Twelve Engravings. 2a. oloth ; S$. doth gilt and coloured plates. Vs Bible Stories (Seqaal to), chiefly in words not exceeding two syllables, mth Twelve Illustrations. Price 2f. doth; or Ss. doth gilt, and coloured plates. Mamma's Lessons Ibr h«r little Boys and Girls. Sixteenth edition, Eight Engravings. Cloth, 2$. Seriptore Historifls finr little Children. By the author of '* Mamma's Bible Stopes/' etc. New Edition, with 16 Illustrations. By John Gzkbbbt. Oloth, price 2«. 6d. Short and Simple Prayers for Children, with Hymns. By the author of ** Mamma's Bible Stories," etc. Price It. cloth. THE FAVOUBITE LIBBABT. New Editions of the Volumes in this Series have bem issued, and other Volumes by Popular Authors will be added. Cloth EUgant, with Coloured FrontUpieee and Title-page, One Shilling each. 1. The Iskdale Herd Bey* By Ladt Stoddabt. 2. Mrs. Leicester's School. By ChabiiBs and Mabt Lakb. 8. The History of the Boblns. By Mrs. Tbimmbb. 4. Memoir of Bob, the Spotted Terrier. 5. Keeper's Travels in Seardi of his Master. 6. The Scottish Orphans. By Ladt Stoddabt. 7. Never Wrong ; or. The Tonng Bispntant ; and It was only in Fun. 8. The Life and Perambulations of a Mouse. 9. The Son of a Genius. By Mrs. Hoixand. 10. The Baoghter of a Genius. By Mrs. HonAND. 11. Illen, the Teacher. By Mrs. HoiiiAitd. 12. Theodore; or, The Crusaders. By Mrs. HotLAND. 18. Bight and Wrong. By the author of '* Ajuwats Happt." 14. Harry's Holiday. By JsmBTs Tatlob. 16. Short Poemi and Hjnms for Children. WEST CORNER OF 8T. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD, LONDON. •Mi POPULAR BOOEB FOB THE LITTLE ONES. Trimmer's Hiitory of the Bo1)ins. Written for the instraotion of children on their treatment of Animals. With 24 beantifnl Engravings from Dra^ngs by Habrison Wxir. Seventh thousand. Small 4to, price 6«., gilt edges. Trimmer's History of the Bobins. In Words of One Syllable. Edited by the Bev. Ohabucs Swetb, M.A. ninstrated, cloth, 8«. 6d. Also published in the Favoubits Libbabt, price 1<. One Shilling and Sixpence eaeh. Cloth Elegant, fully Illustrated. Angelo; or, The Pine Forest in the Alps. By Gbbau>imb E. Jbwsbubt. Illustrated by John Absolon. Aunt Annette's Stories to Ada. By Annbttk A. Salamak. Brave Nelly; or, Weak Hands and a Willing Heart. By Mrs. Obllib(M.E.B.). Featherland; or, How the Birds lived at Greenlawn. By O. M. . Fbmn. Illustrated, F. W. Ebtl, etc. Hmnble Life: a Tale of Humble Homes. By the author of " Oerty and May," etc. Illustrated by T. 0. Collins. Kingston's (W. H. 0.) Child of the Wreck ; or, The Loss of the Boyal Qeorge. Blustrated by H. W. Pbthxbick. Lee's (Mrs. B.) Playing at Settlers; or. The Faggot House. Illustrated by Sir John Oilbxbt. Lee's (Mrs. B.) Twelve Stories of the Sayings and Doings of Animals. With Illustrations by J. W. Abohbb. Little Lisette, the Orphan of Altaee. By Mrs. Obllzb (M. E. B.), author of " Olement's Trial and Victory," etc. Live Toys; or, Aaeedotes of oar Four-legged and other Pets. By Emma Davvmpobt. Illustrated by Habbison Wbib. Long Evenings; or, Stories for my Little Friends. By Emilib Mabbtatt. Illustrated by Johk Absolon. The Three Wishes. By Mrs. Obllib (M. E. B.). WEST CORNER OF 8T. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD, LONDON.