July 30—­Although the weather has been warm have worked steadily chopping down trees; the sound of the axe coming from the three lots.  On each of them there is now quite a clearance.  Jabez had shown us how to make plan-heaps, and we so fell the trees, which will save hard work when we come to burn.  Except myself, all are getting to be expert with the axe, though Sal, with less exertion, can chop down two to Allan’s one.

August 1—­Growth far outstrips that of Scotland, and no wonder, there is no such heat there.  In thinning turnips and the like Ailie kept what is pulled for boiling; they make good greens.  We had a long talk about buying a yoke of oxen at once, and Brodie and Auld agreed to help me with the stable for them.

August 3—­Fixed on spot for stable and began preparing logs for it, choosing cedar and pine as being easier to handle.

August 8—­Began raising stable.  Gordon made very neat corners.

August 9—­Had stable up to the square when we dropped work.

August 11—­Got the rafters on.  Having no sawed lumber or shingles, will have to cut basswood staves and scoops.

August 13—­Stable finished and all proud of it.  There is a roomy loft which will be useful for more than fodder, for I am told when there is no bed in the shanty for a visitor they ‘loft him.’

August 14—­Had arranged to walk to Toronto, for none of us have been inside a church since we left Scotland, but the sun came out with such a blistering heat that we had to give up our intention.  It is awfully lonesome in the bush, and were it not for the work you are forced to do, we would get vacant-minded.  It has been a great blessing in every way that the three families settled together.  I can believe the report that a family planted in the depths of the bush, without a neighbor nearer than three miles, abandoned all they had accomplished to get company.

August 15—­While chinking the stable, Gordon helping, I heard a crash and a cry from where Allan was chopping.  We ran to the spot, and my heart jumped into my mouth, when I saw him lying as if he were dead under a big branch.  I was for dragging him out, when Gordon showed me the movement would bring down the butt of the branch on his body.  He ran for help.  Ailie came first and then Brodie, and while the three of us held up the limb of the tree, Ailie pulled him out.  She was calmer than any of us.  Carrying him to the house, we had the satisfaction of finding there was no bone broken.  A blue mark above the right eye showed where he had been struck.  As he was breathing easily we had hopes he would come to, but it was long before he did, and it was the most anxious hour Ailie and I had ever known.  When he opened his eyes, and looking wonderingly round asked, ‘What is a’ the steer aboot?’ we never before thanked God with such fervor.  Gordon had run for Mrs Simmins, and while we were keeping wet cloths on Allan’s head, she hurried in.  Looking at the mark, which