OR, THE LAKE LANDS OF CANADA. 



17 



The proprietor then mentioned many objects of local 

 interest, among others the hangman's tree, situated about 

 four miles from the hotel, and also added that there had 

 already been hung about a half-dozen persons from its 

 branches. Poor Goldsmith was now thoroughly frightened, 

 and therefore communicated promptly with my legal 

 friend, in order that any threatening misfortune might be 

 avoided. The lawyer and myself having learned that 

 there was really some anxiety manifested in regard to 

 our intentions, promptly determined to call to our assist- 

 ance John Royall, our former classmate, now living near 

 this hotel, and who was sufficiently acquainted with my 

 legal friend to be able to vouch for his honesty and 

 truthfulness. There was no time lost, inasmuch as we 

 proceeded immediately to the office and asked to be 

 directed to the drug house of John Royall & Co. The 

 hotel clerk gave the required information, and my legal 

 friend promptly departed, determined to have all these 

 suspicions speedily removed, consequently I was not sur- 

 prised when I was requested, half an hour later, to meet 

 Mr. Royall in the hotel office. An introduction to the 

 proprietor by Mr. Royall was the next business in order. 

 The hotel proprietor, soon after this introduction by 

 Mr. Royall, took occasion to interview him privately. The 

 result of this interview having proved entirely satisfactory 

 to our host, a new and more pleasant relation with us was 

 immediately inaugurated in the hotel. The proprietor and 

 the guests no longer regarded us with either suspicion or 

 anxiety. The former, however, remarked subsequently to 

 Mr. Royall, with whom he was very well acquainted, that 



