■> IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) A {./ ^ .^, f/ WA^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 1.0 I.I 11.25 128 K^ .... I£ 140 I 2.0 u 1^ - 6" ^^ /, Hiotographic Sciences Corporation V ^ # <^ ^ ^ ^/^. ;\ 23 Vtff ST MAIN STMIT WnSTH, N.Y. MSIO (716) 173-4303 '^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Technical and Bibliographic Notaa/Notes tachniquea at bibliographiquea The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. □ n n n Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ Couverture endommagde Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaur^e et/ou pellicul6e I I Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque Coloured maps/ Cartes g6ographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or blackl/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur D Bound with other material/ Re\\6 avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La reliure serr^e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge int^rieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajouties lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t6 filmies. Additional comments;/ Commentaires suppldmentaires; L'Instltut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6ti possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la m^thode normale de filmage sont indiquAs ci-dessous. I I Coloured pages/ D Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommag^es Pages restored and/oi Pages restaurdes et/ou pellicul6es Pages discoloured, stained or foxei Pages dicolordes, tachet^es ou piquies Pages detached/ Pages ddtachies Showthroughy Transparence Quality of prir Quality indgale de I'impression Includes supplementary materia Comprend du materiel suppl^mentaire Only edition available/ Seule Mition disponible I I Pages damaged/ I I Pages restored and/or laminated/ I I Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ I I Pages detached/ rV] Showthrough/ I I Quality of print varies/ I I Includes supplementary material/ |~~| Only edition available/ Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont M film^es A nouveau de fapon d obtenir la meilleure image possible. This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est filmd au taux de reduction indiquA ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 2SX 30X 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 3 32X Th« copy film«d h«r« hat b««n raproducad thanks to tha ganaroaity of: University of British Columbia Library L'axamplaira film* f ut raproduit grAca A la gAnArotitA da: University of British Columbia Library Tha imagas appaaring hara aia tha baat quality poaaibia conaidaring tha condition and lagibillty of tha original copy and in Itaaping with tha filming contract apacif Icationa. Las imagas suivantas ont AtA raproduitas avac la plus grand soin. compta tanu da la condition at da la nattatA da raxamplaira film*, at an conformity avac las conditions du contrat da filmaga. Original coplaa in printad papar covars ara filmad baginning with tha front covar and anding on tha laat paga with a printad or illustratad Impras- sion. or tha back covar whan appropriata. All othar original coplas ara filmad baginning on tha first paga with a printad or illustratad impras- sion. and anding on tha last paga with a printad or Illustratad imprasslon. Las axamplairas originaux dont la couvartura an papiar ast imprimAa sont film6s an commandant par la pramiar plat at an tarminant soit par la darnlAra paga qui comporta una amprainta d'Imprassion ou d'iiiustration, soit par la sacond plat, salon la cas. Tous las autras axamplairas originaux sont filmte an commandant par la pramiAra paga qui comporta una amprainta d'Imprassion ou d'iiiustration at an tarminant par la darnlAra paga qui comporta una talla amprainta. Tha last racordad frama on aach microfiche shall contain tha symbol -h^ (moaning "CON- TINUED"), or tha symbol V (moaning "END"), whichavar applias. Un das symboles suivants apparaitra sur la darniAre image da chaqua microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole -^ signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbols V signifie "FIN". Mapa, plates, charts, etc.. 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 and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Le'i cartas, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre fiimAs A des taux da reduction diff Grants. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA, il est film6 A partir da I'angle supArieur gauche, da gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'imagas nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 8 6 YK7 r" --;r^ ^^^, ^ 1 t/' .■■••>? k-i'-T*' 1^ .1 YOUNG LION OF THE WOODS; H »^«> OR A STORY OF EARLY COLONIAL DAYS. BT THOMAS B. SMITH. Here in Canadian hearth, and homo, and name ; — This name which yet shall grow Till all the nations know Us for a patriot people, heart and hand Loyal to our native earth, our own Canadian land ! — CllAS. O. D. R0BIRT8. t. -^ HALIFAX, N. S. : NOVA SCOTIA PRIMTINO COMPANY. 1889. Kntercd acconUmi to Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year 18S9, by Thomas B. Smith, at the Department of Agriculture. ^rbtcntt0n. To MY Wli'B I Dkdioatr this, my First Work, With my Lovk. PREFACE. THE only merit that the writer claims for the following pages is, that they contain a record of facts, setting forth the sacred sentiments of duty, religious trust, and the spirit of liberty, amid sufferings and hardships of persons, whose loyalty was put to the severest test. It has been beautifully said, " that he who sets a colony on foot designs a great work." "He designs all the good, and all the glory, of which, in the series of ages, it might be the means ; and he shall be judged more by the lofty, ultimate aim and result, than by the actual instant motive. You may well admire, therefore, the solemn and adorned plausibilities of the colonizing of Rome from Troy, in the £neid ! Though the leader had been burned out of house and home, and could not choose but go. You may find in the flight of the female founder of the gloomy greatness of Carthage a certain epic interest ; yet was she running from the madness of her hus> band to save her life. Emigration from our stocked communities of undeified men and women, emigration for conquest, for gold, for very restlessness of spirit, if they grow toward an imperial issue, ha^ all thus a prescriptive and recognized ingredient of heroism. But when the immediate motive is as grand as the ultimate hope was lofty, and the ultimate success splendid, then, to use an expression of Bacon's," ''the music is fuller." In the hope that the privations and heroic conduct of those who ar€ the subjects of the story, in the following chapters, may prove as interesting to the public as they did to the writer, when he first learned the history of such heroif*!Ti, the writer submits them to the reader. January, 1889. // INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. // Thb records of the lives and actions of those who have preceded us in the procession of the generations, are full of instruction and interest, in many instances they hold up to our emulation great models of patriotism, patience, endur- ance, activity and pluck. It is to be regretted that many documents of past ages have been destroyed through lack of knowledge of their real value, and of the light they would have thrown upon the early history of the country. Some iew, regarded merely as the relics of departed ancestors, have been so secretly kept and treasured, that dust, must and rust have all but completely defaced them. If our ancestors had been wise in preserving the papers of their fathers, lo ig ago there might have been collected from such documents, and displayed, many particulars of positive information concerning the very early history of the English in Acadia. We might have possessed a much fuller history of the times when great difficulties and dangers opposed the settlers. When rushing rivers had to be crossed without boat or bridge ; when men and women often found it necessary to contend single handed with Indians ; and when, for meeting the many obstacles that placed themselves in their path, our ancestors were often but poorly equipped. YOUNG LION OP THB WOODS. Whilst we take pride in the hardships cheerfully borne by our forefathers in the early colonial days, may we not be sometimes inclined to forget those fleet-footed, clever, dusky sons of the forest, to whose generous aid they were not infrequently indebted for protection from hostile men and savage beasts, and even sometimes for sustenance? When we have secured positive information that now and again there have appeared among the brawny men of the forest noble specimens of all that is true and kind, let us not foil to record their deeds of faithfulness and heroism. The least we can do for such is to bring to light their actions and preserve their history. When beneath the shade of the forest, on the trackless desert, on the rushing river, in tempest and thunder, or when watching in the vicinity of an old fort or near the log cabin of the early colonists, the Red man has been found a faithful friend and guide ; should not his deeds of kindness, faithfulness and bravery be recorded side by side with those of the noblest of the human race ? The story r«ilated in the following chapters has been gathered from facts stated in time-worn documents, which have been lying for generations concealed in a wooden box. The only regret of the writer is. that it was impossible for him to gain access to all the old musty and defaced papers in the box. The old gentleman, in whose possession they were found, is very old and eccentric, and by no effort or persuasion could the writer induce him to part company with the documents, but for a short time. But although the task of procuring them was extremely difficult, and that of deci- phering them afterwards was both difficult and tedious, still INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. thfi satisfaction of having rescued from decay and destruc- tion, what seems so interesting, is satisfaction sufficient for the writer. That portion of the documents relating the events in connection with the first and second settlement of an English officer and his family, during the last century, in a district ^hich is now said to be one of the r ost beautiful portions of Canada, is most instructive and int( resting, although at times, while deciphering it, the wr^ur felt his blood quicken in its pulsations, and tears forcing their way to the surface. A few years previous to this English ofTicers first attempt at settlement in Nova Scotia, he came out to Quebec with his regiment. The remaining portion of this introductory chapter will narrate some events in connection with the early life of the officer, his coming to Quebec with his regiment, his short stay there, and his return to his native country : — On board the transport Pitt^ in the year 1765, at Cork, embarked Captain Godfrey with his regiment, the 52nd foot, for Quebec, North America. On fhe passage the Pitt was wrecked in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, whore Captain Godfrey with his regiment suffered many hardships. The ship ran ashore in a dense fog, which had prevailed for several days. The Captain remaining by the wreck for eleven days, assisted in savi'ig the lives of the soldiers wives and children, and in landing the King's stores. The trans- port struck well up the gulf on the Nova Scotian coast (now New Brunswick). The exact locality is not stated. The night of the disaster was densely dark, and soon after striking the YOUNG LION OP THB WOODS. ship began to pound and leak badly. Had the wind sprung up during the hours of darkness not a soul on board would have lived to record the tale. Very early the next mornings as Captain Godfrey was standing on the quarter deck, con- versing with the officer in charge of the ship, the rain begaa suddenly to descend in torrents and the wind to freshen. The mist that had enshrouded the ship for so many days- began to lift, and the sun shone through by instalments. Soon it was seen that the Pitt was hemmed in by rocks^ almost wedged in among them. Fortunately the storm soon abated, and the situation of the vessel kept her in an upright position. The fog settled down again, and for the next ten days all on board were kept busy in saving their effects and the King's stores. At the end of ton days all on board were taken off.. General Murray, commanding at Quebec, by some means not recorded, having heard of the disaster, sent a man-of-war schooner to the relief of the sufferers, and they were safely conveyed to Quebec. Captain Godfrey, through exposure and fatigue, contracted a severe cold, and at last, his life being despaired of, th& surgeoa of the regiment advised his return to England. Ha applied to General Clavering for leave of absence, or to grant him permission to sell out of the army. The permission being granted, he soon set about preparing to leave Quebec, and rejoin his wife and five children in England. Captain Godfrey notes in a memorandum his great sorrow in parting from his regiment, and that his zeal for serving his King and country was so great that nothing but extreme weakness INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. / would have induced him to part from his regiment and King George the Third's service. Before leaving Quehec to return home to his native land, Captain Godfrey visited the spot where, six years before, the gallant Wolfe had poured out his life's blood in the service of his King and country. Here the Captain knelt and offered up to Him who guides the stars in their courses, thanksgiving for the brilliant and decisive victory gained by the British arms. The following is from one of his memoranda : — " As I stood, and as I knelt where Wolfe fell, I more than ever realized what it is to be a brave soldier and a good man. As I rose from the spot I whispered to myself, if I am, through the providence of the Almighty, allowed to once again visit my native land, I will go to the widowed mother of General Wolfe and tell her where I have been and what I have seen. That I have stood on the very spot where victory and death gave the crowning lustre to the name of her great son.'* CKarles Godfrey was born at St. Ann's, England, in the year 1730. The following, copied from an old document, gives a brief sketch of his early career : — " Was put on board His Majesty's ship Bedford, Capt. Cornwall master, in the year 1741, and in 1742 went out to the Mediterranean. In 1743 viras at the seige of Villa Franca, where with a large party of seamen was ordered on shore, and quartered at a six gun battery, under the command of Capt. Gugger, of the Royal Artillery. Was at the battle of Toulon, with Admirals Matthews and Lostock, on board said ship Bedford, then 8 YOUNG LION OF THE WOODS commanded l)y George Townsend. Was at the taking of several rich ships off the Island of Malta, which ships and their cargoes were afterward restored to the Genoese. Con- tinued in the navy till the peace of Utretch, and for some- time subsequently. Afterward, a warrant being procured, attended the Royal Aca 1 : You have saved my life and the lives of my hiisband and dear children. I am in great trouble; God has sent you again. Paul Guidon stood speechless and motionless with his sparkling black eyes fixed on her thin, pale hand. The mild effulgence of the lunar light shone full upon his face, bringing out every feature in perfect outline. Presently his whole frame shook as tho'!f)f his very existence. *iLo, the poor Indian ! whose untutored mind Sees Grod in clouds, or hears him in the wind." The poet, and the highly imaginative person, the wise and the good, seek the hills and the valleys, the dashing cataract, the forest and stream, the mountain range, the rocky coast and roaring ocean, and there drink in the grandeur of creation in those sublime scenes. In such places they feel a nearness to the Creator, and view His power and handiwork in a measure not always attainable in 54 YOUNG LION OP THE WOODS. the ordinary scenes of everyday life. Such persons admire with reverential awe the greatness of God and feel His love. The Indian, in superstitious dread, lives in ignorance of His greatness, His ways and His love. Paul Guidon visited the sloop the next morning, and Captain Godfrey welcomed him on board and invited him to remain during the day and assist in refitting the vessel. The Indian did not refuse in words to do so, but his looks and movements plainly indicated his disinclination to remain. Margaret approached him and said, " Paul, you will stay with me and help us get the vessel all ready to sail away, won't you 1" He took her hand, pressed it tightly, and then let it fall at her side. She knew she had won him, and was well aware that she could lead him as a child. He remained, and all were soon at work. The children picked over the oakum, the Captain fitted the rigging, and the Indian and Mrs. Godfrey tried tlieir hands at making a mainsail. At the setting of the sun Paul returned to his lonely home. The next morning, before the sun had riseti, he was once more on board the sloop. The day was a lovely one, and similar work to that of the previous day occupied the attention of all. The following c^ay the vessel was hauled to high water mark on the island, there to be' overhauled and caulked. Captain Godfrey had brought a supply of necessary tools for the work from Passmaquaddy. The Indian came down each morning from his wigwam and assisted until the sloop was ready for sea. (The repairing of the little vessel La Tour was probably the pioneer work of refitting and , TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE AT SEA. 65 repairing which a century later assumed such gigantic pro- portions on both sides of the mouth of the St. John.) Mrs. Godfrey named the vessel La TouVj because, she said, that was the original name of the fort that sheltered herself and her children during Captain Godfrey's absence at Annapolis Royal. At length everything was ready, and the morning to weigh anchor came. A stiff breeze blowing up the harbour caused a delay in sailing. The morning was so wet, and the wind blew so hard, that Paul Guidon did not venture out in his canoe, but he came down by land, and quite early in the day stood upon the shore opposite where the sloop lay. Margaret was first to notice him. She thought that she never saw him look so handsome as when he stood on the right bank of the harbour that morning. She called her husband, and pointing toward the shore said : " Look at that " noble form at the water's edge. It looks like a statue " standing on a line between the water and the woods !" Captain Godfrey rowed to the shore and took Paul off to the sloop. He remained on board but an hour, promising as he left to return in the morning if the storm abated. Captain Godfrey had decided to sail for Halifax via Pass- maquaddy. The morning was tine and the wind fair. Paul was on hand bright and early. Margaret said to him, " Paul, in an hour we shall sail away from here, and perhaps I shall never see you again on earth." These words seemed to almost paralyze the Indian, and for a while he appeared unconscious of everything that passed. His canoe was tied alongside the sloop. Captain Godfrey hauled up the anchor. I' I I 56 YOUNG LION OF THE WOODS. .1. '■*'■■ m m m m IV: Margaret asked the Indian if he would go with them as far as Passmaqunddy. He made no reply. He sat down on the deck and covered his face with his hands. Captain Godfrey said to him rather sternly, " Paul, we are now on our ** passage, if yi>u are going to leave take your canoe and go." He made no reply to the Captain. The sloop was slipping down the harbour and had passed the lower island before the Indian seemed to recognize his situation. He looked wildly first at the shore, then on the other side at the great waters, and burst into a flood of tears. Margaret stepped to his side and said, " Paul, do you feel I'll r He shook his head, and with his hand pointed at the vast waters of the bay. Margaret proceeded to get dinner, and the red man was left alone. Paul was asked to the Innch, but replied not. The sloop ran leisurely along the shore all day, the wind being light and the water quite smooth. All were compelled to rest on deck during the night, which was bright, and the moon made it almost like day, — the little cabin was besieged with mosquitoes. About midnight the Indian, who had not spoken since leaving the St. John, suddenly sprang to his feet and peered over the moon-lit water in the direction of the shore. Captain Godfrey, who was at' the helm, seeing him, thought he was about to make a plunge overboard, and called to his wife who was asleep. She sprang up, asking what was the matter. At this moment Paul sang out, " Indians coming." Margaret went to the cabin, got the musket and pointed toward the canoes, three in number, and TERRIBLE BXPERIENOB AT SEA. 67 fired. The canoes soon after disappeared in the direction of the shore. Paul sank back into his former position, and in a short time all were asleep except the Captain and the Indian. Nothing unusual occurred during the remainder of the night, and in the morning, the wind growing stronger, the little ship made greater headway. The day was a beau- tiful one, and Paul was as quiet as usual. He ate nothing. Night again came on, and the breeze holding through the moon-lit hours, the Captain ran the sloop into Passmaquaddy early in the morning. As the sun was rising in all his splendour, throwing his brightening rays over land and water, the little vessel was headed into her port of destination. As she was running in, Paul, quick as a flash, jumped up, as though some attendant spirit had suddenly opened to him a vision of the future. He fixed his eyes intently on the shore. In an instant he crouched down on the deck with his head and shoulders partly over the rail. His attitude and manner were those of a wild beast about to spring upon its prey. The Captain thought Paul saw something strange on the shore. In a few minutes the Indian sat down again, and for sometime remained perfectly quiet. The anchor was let go, and the little craft rested in Passmaquaddy harbour. The Captain ran in for the purpose of getting some one to pilot the sloop to Halifax, but to his great disappointment could find no one willing to go. He had neither money nor goods to offer in payment for the service of a pilot. The day following he set sail for Machias, ten leagues distant, in the hope of securing some person at that place 58 YOUNG LION OP THE WOODS. Ett' ' :!•■ >i:.-- 'il If ii willftig to assist him in the passage to Halifax. Paul Guidon had consented to go as far as Machias, and there land and make his way back to the St. John. After leaving Passmaquaddy, Captain Godfrey concluded to put into Head harbour and try his luck at that place in securing a pilots but being unacquainted with the locality he ran the sloop on a ledge of rocks. However, the tide coming in she floated ofl" unharmed. ** Flung from the rock, on ocean's foam, to sail Where'er the surge may sweep, the tempest's breath prevail.' The wind suddenly veered round and blew off shore quite fresh. The vessel stood well off during the night, and the Captain hoped to make the harbour sometime the next morning, but toward daylight a fog began to settle down fast and thick. Captain Godfrey fully realized the perilous position of all on board, but having been early trained in seamanship, he had full confidence in his ability to manage the sloop. In the morning land could not be seen. The fog con- tinued for three days, during which time (to use the Captain's words) " the situation was dismal enough, and every moment I was expecting to see the craft drawn on the rocks and all on board perish." The fourth day the fog was less dense, and those on board could see for some distance, but the sun was invisible, and the war of the elements was raging with increasing fury. In the afternoon the wind had shifted to north-west and increased to a partial gale. The sloop was running under a bit of mainsail ; it seemed at times as if the following seas would founder the little vessel as they towered TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE AT SEA. 59 over the low rail. Nothing was to be seen but the wide expanse ot' water. Not even a solitary gull. The Captain remarked to his wife, '* It is a curious fact that, excepting the petrels, sea birds keep near to the land in bad weather." Captain Godfrey feared the night, and as it carae on the wind grew in strength. A terrible sea was running, and all were fastened below excepting Paul and the Captain. The Indian would not leave the deck, although more than once he was nearly washed overboard. At length darkness covered the face of the ocean, and the wind howled in all its fury. The seas were like mountains, tossing the sloop about like a cork. Mrs. Godfrey would remain below no longer. She told her children, who were tumbling like nine-pins about the cabin floor, not to cry, as she would soon return to them. As she put her head out of the companion way, the Captain ordered her back. She said, '* Where is Paul?" Her husband answered, " I have called to him time and time again to get below." She called to Paul, who was holding fast to the anchor chain with his legs stuck under the windlass. He did not answer. She started to creep forward. Her husband could not see her. At this moment the sloop took a dreadful plunge. A heavy sea swept over hsr from stern to bow, completely submerging her. The Captain, who had taken the precaution to lash himself to the deck, in a half-drowned state, held steadily to the tiller. As soon as possible he called to his wife, but no answer came back. He called to Paul, and he too was silent. Was she lost ? Had she, in whom all his hopes were placed, been carried into the sea and for ever lost to him on earth 1 60 TOUNO LION OP THE WOODS. I l^i These thoughts bewildered him while he was trying to steer his vessel. He dare not leave the helm to look after his wife and children. He hoped the sea had not broken into the cabin and drowned all that were left to him on earth. He had often been called to drink the cup of bitterness, had he been called to drink it to its dregs'? Had his sorrow at last reached its destined depths. He burst into tears, almost stupified, and calling upon Him who is able to guide the storm in its course and hush it to a calm ; to Him whose charities have distilled like the dews of Heaven ; who had fed the hungry and clothed the naked ; who had opened a way of escape in the wilderness ; to Him he cried for succor. And at last in utter despair he earnestly prayed for morning or death. Now and again a huge sea would break over the little ship, but she rode the waves as beautifully as an ocean liner. Terribly the night wore away. With the dawn of the morning the gale began to abate. The Captain lashed the tiller and crept to the companion way. He opened it, went down, found his children, bruised, bleeding and terrified. He kissed them, feeling they were now dearer than ever to him. They asked him where their mother was. He came on deck and shut them in the cabin without replying. As Captain Godfrey crawled to his position at the helm, he said to himself, my dear children have escaped the arrow and tomahawk, the flames at Grimross, the thunder, lightning and tempest, and even yet they are safe. If it were not for my children 1 would prefer to sleep here in death rather than live elsewhere. I would be near my wife to share a part with her in the resurrection. mi m TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE AT SEA. 61 While the Captain wa^ thus mournfully musing, a f^int light began to creep around the eastern horizon. Ue was so absorbed in thought and in watcliing every movement of the sloop that he did not notice the increasing light. There were rifts in the dark clouds, and the air was growing moist. The morning light brought with it rain. The sea gradually grew less and less troubled, and the little vessel rolled and pitched more easily, f^ie er. He then went to where the tribe was living and remained some weeks, being very tired and weary. Peie Thoma, taking ARRIVAL AND RETREAT. 85 a great fancy to his red jacket, offered to canoe him down the river to his old camping giound if he would give him the coveted garment on tlieir return. Paul consented to do so. One lina morning they sturted from Grimross Neck and paddled all day down the river, occasionally resting on the banks of the stream. It came into his (Paul's) head, on the way duwn that Pere Thoma was the cause of the Godfreys' misfortunes, and he suddenly felt that the spirit of *' Old Mag" (his mother) called upon him to kill Tiioma. The burning of the house, the escape of his mother from the flames, the driving away of the English people, the great storm on the bay, his first sight of the [)ale-faced woman at Fort Frederick, the parting witli her at Halifax, all these events recurred to his mind in an instant and went like a flash through his brain. His head seemed to dance like the canoe on the water, then the canoe appeared to whirl round and round. He got so dizzy he could scarcely see, and was afraid that he would fall overboard. He felt something touch him on the shoulder like a dip from the wing of a bird. He had his musket in the canoe, it was loaded. He suddenly pulled in the paddle and then grasped the musket. It was " Chief Mag," and he pointed it at Thoma who was sitting in the stern of the canoe. He tired and Thoma rolled overboard and sank. Paddling on he arrived at his old camping ground near the mouth of the river. The wigwam was still standing but very much out of order, he sat in it till daylight and then visited his mother's grave. After returning to the camp as he felt sad and faint, he t(jo'; his musket and wandered off in search of game. He spent the remainder of the day near the 86 YOUNG LION OP THE WOODS. resting place of "Old Mag," at night he went to the camp and there slept. In the morning he got into the canoe and paddled (»if up the river, arriving at Grimross he went on shore and started at once by trail for Quebec, where after two moons he arrived carrying Chief Mag with him. Here he was much in request by the military, who detained him for three winters accompanying them on their hunting excursions. During the latter part of the last winter, while shooting with some officers on the borders of Acadia and Quebec, he met an old Indian by the name of Joe Paul moving West with his family. From him he learned that the pale-faced people were again living and trading at Grimross. Paul told the officers that he must go back to the St. John. They were not inclined to release him, until he han as we can consult with the war committee we will bring or send you the psvssport." Margaret trembled lest her husband would suddenly object to the proceeding, as nothing definite had been arranged during their hour of debating the situation, only that they must escape if possible. She was well aware of her husband's sterling loyalty. She caught his eye and nodded to him to assent to the proposition of the rebels. He did so. The rebels left, promising the pass the next day, and that in twenty-four hours after receiving it, a guard would be ready to escort them on their way to New England. It being late in the afternoon the rebels then left. At noon the following day a messenger arrived with the passport, and also an order to be ready to proceed toward New England on the following day. The permit or passport read as follows : Permit the bearer, Charles * * * Godfrey, * * * Esqr., to pass from river St. John in Nova Scotia with his family to any part of New England. Maugerville, 1 By order of the Committee, ye 8 July, 1776. J Jacob Barf, xly. Chairman, After a few words of conversation with the Captain and his wife, the messenger took his departure. No time was lost in preparing to escape. Mrs. Godfrey was determined to have everything in the canoe before daylight next morning. 92 YOUNG LION OP THE WOODS. U'": m tf:' The night fortunately was fine, and if all went well they would be well o!) their way to Fort Frederick before Jacob Barkerly or any of the rebels were aware of their departure. Accordingly the night was a busy one getting ready and transferring bundles of stutf to the canoe, whicli was some distance off. At early dawn all were in readines-^, and the last to leave the homestead at Griinross were Margaret and Paul, who had returned from tne shore for a ho:z containing the Captain's private papers, which had been overlooked in the hurry. A few minutes before four o'clock the Indian and Mrs. Godfrey arrived at the canoe with the box.* The morning was a lovely one, and Margaret Godfrey was the most hopeful and cheerful of the little band of fugitives who were preparing to step into the canoe. Her every act and word seemed void of fear. Defeat and disaster with her were but spurs to further effort. She possessed that fortitude of soul that bears the severest trials without complaint. A few minutes after four o'clock they pushed off from the shore, the water was quite calm, but the progress was slow as the canoe was deeply laden, an«l Paul Guidon had to be very cautious in its management. Not an Indian was seen on the shore. The next day they arrived at Paul's old camping ground, and after resting there a f'&vv hours they started for -Fort Frederick, a short distance below. Here fortune seemed to smile upon them. A small schooner lay at anchor immediately below the fort. Margaret and her husband lost no time in going on board. The Captain of "'Many of the events related in this story are founded on facts gathered from papers contained in the box. ARRIVAL AND RETREAT. 93 the schooner said that his vessel would sail for Port Royal, if there were sufficient wind, early the next day. He a<,need to take the whole Godfrey family over with them. Paul seemed bwunil to accompany them, and it pleased Mari^aret, when siie found out that he was anxious to go with them, as she feared he would be murdered if caught by the rebels, Towaril evening they all embarked on board the schooner, Paul having got permission from the Captain of the vessel to take his canoe on board, he, assisted by Charlie, embarked it also. In the morning there being a fair wind sail was set, and next day all on b(»ard were safely landed at Annapolis. Fortune once more favoured the Godfrey family, at Anna- polis Royal there they found a British sloop of war. Margaret got Paul to take her and her husband in his canoe to the ship. They were received on board by the Captain in the most cordial manner, who said they had arrived in good time, as he intended to sail in a day or two. In a short time Captain Godfrey and his wife returned to the shore, having completed arrangements with the Captain of the ship for a passage to Halifax. In a day or two the Godfrey family, accompanied by the Indian, sailed in the British sloop-of-war Viper^ commanded by Captain Greaves. Four days later the Viper arrived in Halifax harbour, and previous to the Godfreys disembarking, Mrs. Godfrey requested permission of Captain Greaves to address a few words of farewell to the ship's company. Her request being granted and all hands ordered on deck, Mrs. G., in appro- ,ii\ \\ \\ 94 TOUNO UON OP THB WOODS. priate terms and in a modest, yet dignified manner, spoke words of counsel to the company, concluding her short exhortation in these words: "And to the Captain of my salvation I commend you alL" m CHAPTER VIII. REBEL PLANS-PRAYING THE LORDS. Before Captain Godfrey sailed with his family from Halifax for England, he waited on Governor Arbuthnot and General Massie^ and informed them of the rebels intentions, and gave them a history of his sad experience on the St. John. He told them that he had been offered by the rebels the command of a party of men to march forward and attack Fort Cumberland, and if they (the rebels) should be suc- cessful, they were to be reinforced, and at once proceed to Halifax, set fire to the town, and sack it. In their proceedings the rebels, who were in constant communication with the New Englanders, and who were instructed by them, were talking of forming this plan in order if possible to keep General Howe's army from being largely reinforced. Captain Godfrey, though very weak and ill, offered his services to General Massie, if the latter would arm two schooners und put on board of each of them one hundred * Fort MMde at Halifax, part of « hich is now held as a military burial ground, was namsd aftor this officer. 9G YOUNG LION OF THE WOODS. r regulars besides n crew of tweiity-hve nion. He proposed to proceed to Fort Cumberland and secure the place in case an attack was made. His offer was declined. He then bid adieii to Halifax and sailed for En«^land, where he and his family arrived on January the 8th, 1777. He lost no time in ap))lying to Lords Nortli and Germain, who iifter proper examination found his claims for losses in the colony well founded; and were generously pleasetl to order him the annual sum of one hundred and Hfty pounds for the temporary support of his family. This sum was afterward reduced to one hundred and twenty pounds, and finally altogether withdrawn. He then put his distressed condition before the govern- ment, and his case was again tosse 18. » detail the losses he had sustained on the River St. John, in His Majesty's ("olonial possession, by the cruel and savage acts of Indians and rebels. He also stated in his memorial that he could have joined the service of Mr. Washington, and that great inducements were held out to him to du so, and to desert the cause of his king and his country. The memorial concluded as follows : " Your memorialist, therefore, humbly prays, that his cause " may be taken into consideration, and that he may be granted " such relief, as in the benevolence of His Majesty King George " the Third's Commissioners, his losses and services may be •' found to deserve, and that he and the subjoined witnesses may "have a hearing from your Honourable Board." Witnesses : Thomas Bridge, Esq., No. 2 Bridge Street, Surry Side Mr. Bartley, Delzex Court, near the Temple.^ Ceneral Skein, General Murray To Property. j-To Service. Sir Guy Carleton,!^,^ t ^„^u„ Brook Watson. P"" ^^^^^y- (Here follows the signature of the petitioner.) No. 2 Pratt Street, Lambeth. As far as can be gathered from documentary evidence, and what information could be obtained otherwise, no relief was ever granted to Captain Godfrey or his family by the Commission of Losses and Services of the American Loyalists. Mrs. Godfrey, whose many trials, hardships, disappointnients and sorrows have been sketched in the foregoing chapters, m 126 YOUNG LION OP TDK WOODS. \ b \i fl was living in London as late as 1805. A letter written by the old lady to her son Charlie's wife, then living in Nova Scotia, was for a few hours in the possession of the writer of these chapters. In this letter she states her many difficulties and the numerous applications on her part to various Lords and other authorities seeking relief in her distress. Many portions of the long, well written letter are touching indeed. The persistency of the grand old lady in doing her utmost to force the rulers of the country to a settlement of her husband's claims is greatly to be admired. Her letter cannot be read by any colonist without feelings of pity and shame. In one part of the letter she says Councillor Brand * has given in my memorial to the treasury and I have to wait till he gets an answer, and I pray God it will be a happy one, but God knows what is best, and will, if we put all our trust in him, guide us aright. The cursed Duke of Richmond is not dead yet.f Mrs. Godfrey must have been near eighty years of age when this letter was written. Thirty-five years had elapsed since her husband's first loss in the colony, and nearly thirty yearn since he was driven out by rebels and Indians. . Titles and pensions liave been freely bestowed by English kings and parliaments on men who have been daring and successful in Britain's cause. If Captain Godfrey had performed no deeds worthy of a title or a pension, he at least deserved to be reimbursed in part or in whole for the losses * It will be reai9mber(Kl that Mrs. Godfrey was an Irish woman. t What was the cause of her animosity to this noble Duke, the writer does not know. . MARGARET GODFREY 8 FAREWELL. 127 he had sustained at the hands of rebels and savages. And it is probable there were men and women in England who were styled Dukes and Duchesses, — who wore orders on their breasts that covered less brave and no more loyal hearts than those of Capt. and Margaret Godfrey. She firmly supported and assisted her husband in his strict adherence to King George the Third's Cause, and faced the rebels like a Spartan and defeated them in their designs at Grimross. Her tact, skill, courage and cool determination in the midst of im- minent danger were truly admirable. She displayed the qualities of a born leader time and time again. In a situation where she could seek no support she relied on her own judgment, courage and faith. These sterling qualities brought to her aid one who afterward proved to be a friend and guide. Alone at Fort Frederick she defeated the designs of blood-thirsty savages by stepping out of the Fort and standing unmoved and defiant amid a flight of arrows. Her com- manding presence and firm attitude won a savage to her side. We can entertaia no better wish for the memory of this Celtic heroine, than that her name may be preserved, and her life and deeds in the colony go down to the latest generation. " Jystin MqCarthy in his concise and interesting work, " Ireland's cause in England's Parliament," says : " There is ** a charming poem by my friend William AUingham, called ^* Lawrence Bloomfiold in Ireland," in which we find a classic story, thrillingly told, as an illustration of the hero's ieeling on some subject of interest to his country. A Roman -Emperor is persecuted by the petition of a poor widowed f 5: I'' i 11' I 128 YOUNG LION OP THE WOODS. woman, who prays for redress of some wrong done to her and her children. The great emperor is far too great, his mind is taken up too much with questions of imperial interest, to have any leisure for examining into, or even for reading, this poor woman's claim. One morning he is riding forth of his palace gates, at the head of bis splendid retinue, and the widow comes in his way, right in his path, and holds up her petition again, and implores him to read it. He will not read, and is about to pass scornfully on, when she flings herself on the ground before him, herself and her little children, just in front of his hurse's hoofs, and she declares that if he will not stay and hear her prayer, he shall not pass on his way unliss he passes over the bodies of herself and children. And then says Mr. Allingham, " the Eoman," who must have had something oi the truly imperial in him, " wheeled his horse and heard." Margaret Godfrey, the poor widowed woman, took up the petition of her husband, and continued to pray for redress of wrong done her husband, herself, and her children. For twenty years she continued in her prayer. Read what the poor widowed woman says in another part of her letter to her daughter-in-law, and see if the truly imperial is to be found in a King or in England's noblemen, who for twenty years " heard and wheeled." " I have been sick all winter and not able to help myself, " and am very ill at present. My illness has almost turned " me, but if I had but half a leg I'll do my duty toward my "family." -iJ' 1 _JCl MARGARET GODFREYS FAREWELL. 129 In another letter written to her daughter-in-law not long after the first, she says : " Tell Charles if he ever visits the " mouth of the St. John or old Fort Frederick, not to neglect " for his mother's sake to visit the grave of Paul Guidon, Ho " knows the locality and may be able to detect the spot " where the hero sleeps. In my thoughts, God knows how " often I linger about that spot. Sacred indeed must be the " earth that mingles with the dust of such nobility. Were I " present I would adorn his last resting place with the early '* spring flowers. Many wintry storms have passed above "his grave. Spring time and summer have come and gone, " but he heeds them not. " I feel that I am nearing the border land, and as I cross " the stream I believe I shall meet my husband and also my "other protector standing together on the shore to welcome " me home, to a homo where friends never fail and where "justice is administered in the highest perfection. " It is my living desire, and by the blessing of God it "shall be my dying desire, to meet bey- nd on the fields of '* glory Paul Guidon and my dear husband. No Briton ever " lived who was more loyal to his King and country, and " trusted more fully in the honour of eiirthly Lords than " Charles Godfrey. " It may be that I shall bye and by find Paul Guidon's " name inscribed in brighter characters on the columns that " support the arches of the heavens, than the names of some *' to whom my husband applied on earth for redress of wrong. •* One of Briton's statesmen lately easy It my Lcrd C. or Earl G. or Marquis B. or Lord H. with 9 11 :M 130 YOUNG LION OF THE WOODS. ** thousands upon thrjusands a j car, some of it either presently " derived or inherited in sinecure acquisitions from the public "money to boast of their patriotism, and keep aloof from " temptation, but they do not know from what temptation " those have kept aloof who had equal pride, at least equal " talents, and not unequal passions, and nevertheless knew " not in the course of their lives what it was to have a ** shilling of their own,' and in saying this he wept. " And so have I, a thousand times in silence wepf a?, the "utmost energy of my life has been exerted k .b to "comfort and to encourage a weeping heart-broken iiuxoand "weighed down with misfortunes and poverty." The grave has long ago closed over every member of the Godfrey family who were among the English pioneer settlers of Acadia, and the history of their lives might have slept with them, but for a trifling circumstance. The old documents referred to and copied in the foregoing chapters, are greatly defaced, and time is completing their destruction. Many of them are scarcely legible, and it required the utmost patience and preseverance to gather together the facts as narrated in this work. LITTLE MAG'S DREAM AS INTERPRETED BY ONE OF THE LESTERS. As the little widow narrated her dream to one of the Misses Lester, the latter understo'od it to be something lik> the following : .Mag saw a vast land with wooded hills and dales, green fields, lakes and rivers. Her departed husband was quickly crossing over all these toward th? sotting sun. MARGARET GODFREYS FAREWELL. 131 He sped over the lakes and rivers in his canoe, and when he emerged from among the trees, his bow and arrow hung across his shoulder, over the open country he travelled in his moccasins, with the old flag wrapped tightly about his breast and shoulders. At length he approached the setting sun, where she lost sight of him for a moment, the durkness tl|^at had gradually settled down, shutting out from her view the passage of her husband, quick as a flash burst into a beautiful crystal light. The heavens looked like shining silver, all around the horizon was a wide cloud of clear light blue, with a border of gold. Beneath was a broad expanse of green, with large groves of trees at regular intervals dressed in a deeper shade. Through these were meandering streams or rivers as of clear glass. Clear cut avenues ran through at regular spaces from stream to stream, on the borders of which (avenues and rivers) were thousands of jasper wigwams, sitting and standing, at the front of each were Indians of all ages, dressed in pure white and ornamented with precious stones of various hues. Rising above the blue border of the sky, slowly and majestically, a new sun was beaming. On its face stood Paul Guidon, in a dress of glistening whiteness. The dress was after the pattern of that of an Indian chief. Out of his right shoulder rose a red cross slanting slightly outward, on the top of which stood an angel slightly inclining foreward. In his right hand he held a wreath made of flowers most pure and white, inside of which in letters of light blue, was the word Love. Out of his left shoulder, in the same direction, rose a statf of deep blue, to which was attached a drooping silver flag crossed with bars of gold. (Its pattern i it ■■ 132 YOUNG LlOX OF THE WOODS. was like the one place !•*! M W ^The gold cross attached to Mag's neck-lace, was sent to Paul Ouidoii by Sir Guy Carleton as a present. Paul received the present while he was sojourning at Quebec. MARRIAGE OF LITTLE MAG. — SOCIETY AT HALIFAX. 137 ** Your letter of 5th August, I received, and will make further inquiries as you advise about the property." The letter is addressed as follows : Mrs^ Charles Godfrey^ ■*• ^^ ♦ Care of Charles Godfrey, * * * Esq., (Late of His Majesty's Service), Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland. The above is the substance of the Governor's letter to Mrs. Godfrey. The date and first three or four lines of it were torn off and gone, and the remainder was, with great difficulty, deciphered, the letter being in several pieces and quite ragged. This letter must have been written in the year 1785 or '86, as in a letter from a friend to Mrs. Godfrey, dated September, 1785, Little Mag and her husband are said to have been met in the street the day ] previous to writing. It is not at all likely that little Mag was long married before she appeared in presence of Governor Carleton. Had Margaret Newall moved in a more elevated social sphere, and been surrounded by wealthy parents and rich relatives, possibly Governor Carleton would have been obliged to give Mrs. Godfrey a vivid description of Mag's trousseau, and her beautiful presents of gold, silver, diamonds, etc. But her parents and friends were poor. Her old father possessed only a moving tent, occuping here and there, as he found a spot to pitch it, a few square feet of King George the Third's wilderness. Old Reonadi was not a com- mercial man. He had never made an assignment. He was 138 YOUNG LION OF THK WOODS. u • '.I r. "i It'. born one hundred years too soon to be surrounded by com- mercial morality, perfect holiness and paternal affection. It took a later generation of Chippewayans to display that care for their posterity which only disguises an habitual avarice or hides the workings of a low and grovelling nature. During neither of tlie stays that the Godfreys made at Halifax had society reached that brilliant epoch it afterwards attained when that Royal Duke, who set such an example of duty to all men, was making it his temporary home. That for a colony was, from all accounts, indeed a brilliant, gay, and polished society which was assembled at old Chebucto when the Duke of Kent was at the head of the army in British North America. Pleasure, however, was not the only occupation of that then brilliant capital, at whose head was one so much devoted to duty, that in its fulfilment he acquired the reputation of a martinet. This was the day of the early morning parade, particularly irksome in a cold climate to those who were obliged to turn out before day- break in the bitter weather of mid-winter. At this day, also, there were frequent troopings of colours, marchings out, sham fights, and all the other martial circumstances of a fully garrisoned town. The maintenance of this strict discipline among the gar- rison whom he commanded, was not more characteristic of the Duke than his affable condescension and the considerate kindness that he displayed toward the inhabitants of Nova Scotia, and of Quebec also, when he occupied its castle. So that his name and memory are still held dear by the loyal descendants of the men to whom Prince Edward was & MARRIAGE OF LITTLE MAG. — SOCIETY AT HALIFAX. 139 familiar figure, both at Halifa.^ and Quobec, as he rode through the streets of either town. But Halifax, even at the time whereof we speak, so soon after its first being rescued from the primeval forest, was not without its charms for those who, like the Godfreys, had enjoyed the amenities of polished circles. But the almost destitute circumstances in which they found themselves when these visits were made, prechided them from entering into many of the enjoyments that offered. However, there were a few entertainments at which their position in society seemed to demand their presence, and which they accord- ingly attended. Here, of course, they met the heads of society, as well as many strangers from Boston, Quebec and other places on the continent, nearly all of whom would be persons of distinction in the several places where they hailed from. At this time several tea gardens about Halifax fur nished the means of quite recretion to the j)ublic Adlam's garden, adjacent to the citadel, was the most famous of these resorts, and here on one occasion when the Godfreys were at Halifax, a garden party was given by one of the leaders of ton, at which Captain Godfrey and his wife were privileged to meet, among other distinguished personages. General Massie and Mr. Arbuthrjot, the governor of the province. The ladies were richly attired. The military wore their undress uniforms and the civilians were in full dress, which consisted in that day of knee-breeches, silk stockings, and shoes with buckles composed of silver or gold, set with bril- liants or other precious stones; the waistcoat was often of silk, satin or velvet, richly brocaded or embroidered ; the 140 YOUNG LION OF THE WOODS. coat of blue clotli, with gilt buttons; and a aword was not wanting to complete the costume. It was dir"oult to decide at banquet or ball which pre- sented the more imposing appearance, the man of war or he whose avocation was of a peaceful character, so nice were the dresses of both. Margaret Godfrey did not forget her situation. Roam- ing about the lawns and walks in a plain gown, and seeing the plainness of her own attire as compared with those of the ladies about her, she retired to an obscure corner of the grounds, feeling more happy under the circumstances in a private nook than in the midst of gay and polished society. Although she was clever, graceful and lively, she f that the society in the capital was, in some respects, ill- .ted. She thought the conduct of some of the gentlemen and ladies was not wholly unimpeachable, while her solid faith in the virtues of most of the ladies and gentlemen she met from time to time during her stay never wavered. m li A CONCLUDING CHAPTER. THEN, NOW, AND TO BE. How often do we hear of the deeds of the fathers of the country. How cfLen we read of tliem. And how little in comparison is said or written of the hardships endured and the heroism ilisplayed by the mothers. In the early colonial days the women endured equal trials with the men. It is possible that if the lives of the early settlers and the scenes of those titnes were in full laid before us for review, wo would iind many instances in which women displayed even greater courage than the men, and in enduring the most severe privations and dangers, held out even longer. Had Captain Godfrey not been possessed with such a companion as his wife, it seems almost certain he would have been made a prisoner and, perhaps, been murdered. Her tact and perseverance in danger secured his liberty and resciued him from death. When her friends in London tried hard to persuade her from accompanying her husband on his second venture in the colony, she calmly replied : "Where my husband goes I can follow, if it be in the wilderness among savages, or even through fire and blood. I love my husbanil, and wherever he may be, to that spot I am attracted more strongly than to 142 YOUNG LION OP THE WOODS. i; It! •'! & V sm any other." How much these brave words sound like those of Madame Cadillac, spoken three quarters of a century earlier. On the 24th of July, 1701, Cadillac landed at Detroit, and set himself to found the place. Soon after this Madame Cadillac, who had been left behind at Quebec, plunged into the wilderness to rejoin her husband. It was a thousand miles in a birch bark canoe rowed by half-clad Indians, and the route was through a dense forest and over great waters swept by the September storms, but this brave woman undertook the journey attended by only a single female companion. When subsequently reminded of its hazards and hard- ships, she simply replied: "A woman who loves her husband as she should, has no stronger attraction than his company, whereever he may be." The rich heritage we enjoy comes to us thrcugh the great efforts of patriotism and dogged perseverance of our ancestors (the fathers and mothers of the country). As we in gratitude remember the former, let us not forget the latter. Margaret Godfrey died in London about the year 1807, having survived her husband fully twenty years. She was beloved by friends, and esteemed by all who came in contact with her. She sank full of years undimmed by failure and unclouded by reverses. Who can think of such persons as Mrs. Godfrey without acknowledging that such are the true nobility of the human race ! THEN, NOW, AND TO BE. 143 And now, when from the long distance of a hundred years or more, we look back upon the Hardships and misfor- tunes endured by one family of the early colonists, we feel assured that pen and tongue can mver make fully known to us or our posterity the extent of the misery and suffering of most of the early colonial settlers.* We know enough, however, to admire the heroism of our ancestors and their firm attachment to the mother land. Our hearts should warm with gratitude for what they have done for our happiness. Ar ' as we consider the unflinching determination of the fouj.' iert< of these British colonies to make this land a British home, we feel that we should as unflinchingly carry on their work and expand their views. Deeply rooted in the hearts of our ancestors was a love of the old land, and their desire in the new was to build upon the foundations of the old. We, under Providence, are commissioned to carry forward the work they left unfinished. This land was the home of our fathers and shall be the heritage of our children. The provincial spirit of our ancestors is being merged into a great national one. A grand idea of nationality is being deeply rooted in the hearts of the present generation. We are preparing for all the responsibilities and all the works of a nation, and whether our political union with the mother country becomes weaker or stronger as the years pass by, our love for the old land will never * For a vivid aooount of the suffering's and hardahipo of the early Colonial sattlers, I would refer the reader to Ryerson's excellent work, The Loyalists of America and their times. Vol. II. Chap. XLI. 144 YOUNG LION OP THE WOODS. ' m I' 1! il',' cease. We are proud of our parentage. Proud of the Celtic and Saxoii blood that courses through our veins. As our country expands, and as we continue to build, may our love of country widen, and the light of patriotism that brightened and cheered the hearts of our ancestors as chey toiled on, brighter and deeper burn in all our hearts, and one grand illumination throw ics rays upon the surface of two oceans. A neighbouring nation may envy our progress and seek our union, but this will only stimulate our energy and strengthen the bonds that bind British Americans together. Our fathers left us a few disunited provinces, our children will inherit a vast dominion, bounded east and west by the world's two great seas. In even less time than it took our ancestors a century ago to travel from Halifax to the mouth of the St. John, we can plant our feet on the shore of the Pacific. The stars and stripes may wave along our Southern boundary, and there shall their proud waves be stayed. The Eagle may be lord below, But the young Lion lord above. We rest firm in the belief that the decree has gone forth out of the court of heaven, that the flag which was wrapped in its iolds around the •' Young Lion of the Woods " in his last sleep, shall wave triumphantly over Canada till peoples and nations cease to exist on earth. The provinces in which the heroic events related in the foregoing chapters occurred, now partake of the fortunes li'' THEN, NOW, AND TO BE. 145 and sentiments and character of a vast country. They live together with Canada, they flourish with her, and if they are ever called upon to oppose a mightier foe than Red men and Rebels, they will not be found unequal to the occasion. Never was nobler duty confided to human hands than that which was confided to our ancestors mure than a century ago. It was theirs under providence to commence the foundations on which we are building, and in the record of our social, industrial, educational, political and religious progress we await with confidence the verdict of the world. Although for the greater portion of the century the growth of the British North American Colonies has been slow, yet it has been sound, and it will be better for Canada in the future if the growth is not too rapid. If the process of consolidation tnkes place regularly and moderately, every institution in the land will be sounder. If the majority of the immigr; ^ which the country annually receives are similar in chcaacter and principles to those of the early colonists, we shall huve nothing to fear in the future. We have nothing in our past history to discourage us, and much in our present condition and prospec's to stimulate us. We who are privileged to live in the closing years of the century behold a wonderful unity and an extraordinary advancement of the whole Dominion in all its -reat interests. And the man, if such there be, who wa.^ -orn on this soil and sprung from such an ancestry as the early colonial settlers and United Empire Loyalists, or from the loins of settlers of a later generation, who is not proud of his country and of being called a British American, is un worth v of his race and the 10 ml 146 YOUNG LION OP THE WOODS. i < 1;! '(.■ ■!: i'' ^' 1 i land of his birth, and unworthy of having his name classed with that of the noble Iroquois (Paul Guidon.) There are pcisons who have acted a less noble part in life's drama, than the British officer and his wife who settled at Grimross Neck, and even a less noble part than Paul Guidon, who have won golden wreaths for their tombs, and since Margaret Godfrey's name and deeds have been dug from oblivion, should they be forgotten or the Iroquois tomb go unadorned t Our past in its three great eras, that of settlement. Responsible government and union, shows grand steps in the country's triumphant march. If with decaying sectional spint, the grand idea of British American independence takes ho.M of the minds and hearts of the people, this would be found the gradual power that would impel the country to its national destiny. As we behold mighty provinces icrming and splendid cities rising, we begin more fully to realize the glorious career on which the Dominion has entered, tliese events should compel, yea they announce a safe, wise and splendid future. The few millions who have sprung from those who founded the colonies, trace back with lineal love their blood to them. So may it be in the distant future millions more will look back with pride and trace their blood through those who formed a nation in peace, to those who founded the colonies, and to those who formed the union. We may read of the past, write of the past, and think of the past. To do so is often profitable ; it is also a pleasure. But, as we admire the spirit and works of those who have passed beyond the flood, we should more earnestly prepare 4 t ' THEN, NOW, AND TO BE. 147 for the future. " The sleeping and the dead are but pictures." " Yet, gazing on these long and intently, and often we may pass into the likeness of the departed, may stimulate their labors, and partake of their immortality." ** The growing nation, may it prove Dominion of the Good ! And ever stand, in coming years, where Britain always stood,— The foremost in the cause of right ! upholder of the truth ! The nation which in growth of years grows in the strength of youth ! Then we may cry, with hopeful voice, unto the heavenly powers. For blessings on our native land— ' This Canada of ours.' " FINIS.