142 WILD SPORTS IN THE FAR WEST. 



storm was brewing to disturb its serenity. We had 

 not long been seated when a tall, ceremonious, respect- 

 able looking man, buttoned to the chin in a long 

 brown coat, arrived. lie saluted us rather solemnly, 

 then seating himself at a short distance, took a little 

 book from his pocket, turned over the leaves, and, 

 before I suspected any thing, he thundered out a hymn 

 with a voice that astounded me. Kot being used to 

 such a proceeding, I looked first at one then at the 

 other for some explanation, but they kej)t their eyes 

 fixed on the ground, looking very solemn all the time. 

 The voice of the singer became louder and louder. The 

 good man seemed to have lost the end of his song; 

 night came on, and it was rather cold — still he kept 

 on, until at last his voice failed, and he was obliged to 

 stop. I thought this was all, but more people arrived, 

 among them some very pretty young women, such as 

 I never expected to see in the wilderness. The air 

 being cool and damp, we entered the house, which was 

 set out with benches, and looked like a school-room. 

 The case was clear — I had stumbled on a Methodist 

 meeting, and must take the consequences. The singing 

 and praying lasted several hours, and I Avas heartily 

 tired of it, as it did not agree witli my habits and 

 feelings. 



With the first streaks of red I commenced my 

 journey homewards, and arrived about noon, to find 

 that Uhl, Avith more luck than myself, had already 

 caught a horse. 



On the 8th of June I rode off to Blackfish lake 

 swamp, to bring away the things we had left at Hamil- 

 ton's. Just as I entered the house, Mrs. Hamilton 



