On taking a parting drink, the tall fellow exclaimed, ‘I have got her.’  Reaching home we found all well except the master, whose neck was still swollen and painful.  He was lying on the bench near the fire.  Jabez explained his errand and the message he brought.  The master pulled the head of Jabez close to his mouth, for he could only whisper, and said, ’You tell Mr Bambray that what happened Sabbath night made me an abolitionist, and the girl will stay here until she wants to leave.  Is not that your mind, Ailie?’ ’You have spoken what was in my own mind, Andrew.’  Tilly, who was standing by, burst into tears, and clasping the mistress by the neck kissed her saying, ’I will serve you good.’  She was the most grateful creature I ever met.  Jabez stayed until after dinner, and, on leaving, promised to give us a hand when it was time to burn our brushpiles.  Tilly made herself useful not only in our home but those of Brodie and Auld and proved to be a real help.

* * * * *

Jany 16—­Thankful I can again bend my head without pain.  The woods are a glorious sight.  It snowed yesterday morning.  Before dark the snow turned to rain, which froze as it fell, encrusting everything.  On the sun coming out bright this morning the trees sparkled as if made of crystal and the branches of the evergreens hung in masses of radiant white.  So Alice described them, and we all agreed a sight so beautiful we never saw.

Jany 17—­Robbie and Allan set off on snowshoes for a day’s hunting and came back in the afternoon carrying a deer, which they had run down, being enabled to do so by the crust on the snow breaking under the poor animal’s hoofs.  There are more than men hunting deer.  Last night we heard the wolves in full cry as they were chasing them.

Jany. 21—­Astonished by a visit from Mr and Mrs Bambray.  They visited all the houses and seemed pleased by what they saw.  Had a long talk with him about how the province is being governed.  Mrs Bambray brought clothes for Tilly.  The thaw we have had has lowered the snow, and chopping down trees has been going on.

Jany 22—­The day being moderate and the sleighing splendid drove to Toronto, the oxen going faster than a man could walk.  Sought to see the minister, who accepted certificates of Ailie and myself.  Sacrament is March 26.

Jany. 25—­Visited the farmer from whom I bought the steer.  We had a hearty welcome.  Ailie much taken with their stove and its oven, and curious about Canadian ways of housekeeping.  Ruth was given a kitten.

Jany 27—­Great snowstorm.

Jany 28—­Quite mild this morning, a warm wind from the south.  Snow melting.  At noon there was a sudden change of the wind to the northwest, which rose to a tempest, overturning trees and making most doleful sounds as it swept through the woods, where it broke off branches by the thousand.  Became piercingly cold.  Such quick changes cannot be healthy.