bent in the shape of a horse-shoe, the upper, or narrow ends being passed through the yoke.  If the yoke and bows are properly made and fit the cattle, there is no fear of galling the beast.  The bows are made of hickory, white or rock elm, in this way.  Cut a piece of elm, five feet and a half long, large enough to split into quarters, each of which will dress to two inches in diameter; put them in a steam-box for an hour at least; take them out hot, and bend on a mould made on purpose; tie the two bent-up ends together until dry.  Every settler should know how to do these things, and to make his own axe-handles, and many other articles which are constantly required in the bush.

My first attempt at driving oxen was accompanied by an unfortunate accident, which gave me some trouble and mortification.  My father-in-law had lent a neighbour a plough, of which we were much in want.  I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to try my hand with the oxen, to fetch it home.  Now, it happened the cattle were young, and not very well broken, so that I found some difficulty in yoking and attaching them to the cart.  However, I succeeded at last, and drove up to the door of Mr. Stephens’ house in great style.  I found the family just going to dinner, which they courteously invited me to partake with them.  I accepted their hospitality, and left the oxen standing before the door.

I discussed my neighbour’s good cheer with an excellent appetite, and was in the very act of pledging mine host, when I heard the cattle start off.  We left the table with precipitation, but-were, alas! too late to stop the refractory oxen, which galloping down a steep hill, on the summit of which the house was built, stumbled in their descent, and fell to the bottom, where we found them struggling, apparently, in the agonies of death.  We cut the bows from their necks as soon as possible, but not in time to save the life of poor Spot, the near ox, who was quite dead; and it was for some minutes doubtful if Dandy the off “critter,” as the Yankees would style him would survive his companion.  I killed the dead one over again to make its flesh fit for consumption, and bled the other, which happily saved its life.  But, notwithstanding my careful endeavour to make the best of a foolish matter, I felt myself in an awkward predicament.  To my worthy father-in-law the loss of an animal worth thirty dollars was, at that time, particularly inconvenient; but his moral justice was high and his temper mild; so he listened meekly to my account of the misfortune, quietly remarking, that it could not be helped, and that no blame attached to me.  It is in these worrying affairs of every-day life that we discern the real beauty of the Christian character.  My mother-in-law behaved as well, on this trying occasion, as any lady could do who found her larder suddenly stocked with a quantity of lean tough beef a prospect, indeed, by no means cheering to any member of the household.