the 200 acres between Auld and Brodie.  Covered equally with heavy bush there was no apparent difference, yet a division had to be made.  Jabez, seeing that one waited on the other to decide, cut two twigs and held them out between his fingers.  ’The man who draws the long one, gets the east half, and the short one the west.’  Brodie drew the long bit of stick and Auld the short.  It was agreed to raise Brodie’s shanty first, as he had young children, and the Aulds could stay with them until their own shanty was ready.  Brodie selected the spot for his home, and we began at once to cut the trees that stood upon it.  Saturday evening Jabez and Jim returned to Toronto to stay over Sunday.  The weather had been warm with two showers and camping was no discomfort beyond the inconvenience to the women.  There was no complaining, for we were all in good spirits, buoyed up with the prospect of future prosperity, and determined, if hard work would ensure it, we would not spare ourselves.  Our tasks for the week were ended and we gathered on the site of Brodie’s house, sitting on the felled trees.  It was a calm night with soft air, the moonbeams making a pathway of light across the pond.  None seemed inclined to speak, just wanting to rest and enjoy the peaceful hour.  It was Alice who broke the silence by starting to sing, and song followed song, all joining when there was a chorus.  It was a strange thought that came into my mind, that for all the ages these woods and lakelet had existed this was the first time they had echoed back our Scottish melodies.  When Alice started Ye banks and braes o’ bonny Doon, we helped in the first verse, but as the scenes we had left rose before our minds voices quavered, until all became silent, tears flowed, and Mrs Auld was sobbing.  ‘This wont do,’ cried the master, ’we have come here as to a land of promise and there must be no looking backward.  We go forward.  Alice, start the second paraphrase and then to bed.’

I have seen many a fine Sabbath morning but none to me like that one which was our first in the bush.  The serenity of air and sky, the solemnity of the woods, the stillness sweetened by the song of birds, struck even the children, who were quieter than usual.  After breakfast and things were tidied up we had worship.  The master read selections from the closing chapters of Hebrews, and his prayer was one of thankfulness to the Hand that had preserved us on our journey and brought us to a quiet resting-place.  Mrs Auld heard the children their questions and had a lively time in scolding and coaxing them by turns to never mind the squirrels but attend to what she was saying.