78 AN UNSOLICITED INTERVIEW. 



did not appear to be diminished by paying it a visit 

 as often as twice a week. It was a splendid and 

 valuable little demesne to possess so close to my 

 residence, my home being only two miles distant ; 

 for when a boating party or others notified me of an 

 intended visit, I could unfailingly provide my guests 

 with something better for lunch than the invariable 

 salt pork and saleratus biscuits, the almost perpetual 

 diet of the frontier agriculturists. 



At an adjoining village resided several very pretty 

 girls. They could paddle a canoe, or pull an oar ay, 

 and, if need demanded it, handle a gun with the major- 

 ity of our sex. I dislike masculine women, but these 

 were nothing of the kind, only proficients in occupa- 

 tions which by necessity they were frequently called 

 upon to practise. 



After the morning " chores " had been done, such 

 as milking, feeding the hogs, and cutting up a 

 sufficiency of stove wood for the coming day's con- 

 sumption, I was about to commence breakfast, when 

 my aged and exceedingly ugly housekeeper, who 

 always presided at that meal, exclaimed," There's that 

 drunken lout of an * Injun ' loafing about here again. 

 I tell you, sir, I don't feel safe, so much alone as I am. 

 I wish you'd order him off, sir ; I'm certain sure he's a 

 thief." 



I raised my eyes to the verandah, and on it stood 

 poor Joe, a drunkard when he could obtain spirits, 

 nevertheless, when sober, the truest and kindest crea- 

 ture in the world. Moreover, he was a perfect marvel in 

 trapping and hunting. Joe, seeing that my eyes were 

 fixed upon him, fumbled about for a few moments in 

 the voluminous breast pocket of his filthy flannel 

 coat, and after some delay held up a note. 



The note was to announce that, weather being 

 suitable, the young ladies before alluded to would 

 honour my log cabin with their presence to lunch on 

 the morrow. There was nothing in the larder, I was 



