ld declares if the summer heat and the winter cauld were
carded through ane anither Canada would have a grand climate. The two
extremes are indeed most trying.

Jany 5--Work in the bush stopped by the snow, is so deep that when a
tree is felled half is buried.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE EPISODE OF TILLY

Jany 7--All were in bed last night when I was aroused by a knock at the
door. Thought one of my neighbors needed help, but on opening was
surprised to see it was Jabez. Excused himself for alarming us by saying
his errand was a matter of life or death. A negro girl, who had fallen
into evil hands at Buffalo, had escaped to Canada and was followed by
desperate men trying to retake her. An attempt had been made to kidnap
her from the family that sheltered her in Toronto. She had to be hid
until the search was given up, and he could think of no place so safe as
with ourselves. Mr Bambray asked us, in God's name, to take care of her
for a while. 'Where is she?' I asked. 'In the sleigh at the door.' I
told him to fetch her in, or she might freeze. He lifted her in, for she
was numb. It was a bitter night. Laying aside her wraps, we saw, for
Ailie and the whole family were now looking on, a mulatto of perhaps
sixteen years of age. Alice and Ruth chafed her hands and feet to
restore her circulation, while Ailie was getting a hot drink ready.
Looking at the poor child I guessed her miserable story and told Jabez
we would keep her. After getting warmed he drove off.

* * * * *

Here I have to break into the master's diary in order to give what
happened afterwards, which he did not write down. The girl, who said her
name was Tilly, got quite reconciled to us next day. She was from
Kentucky, had been sold to a saloonkeeper at Black Rock, and rescued.
She shuddered whenever she spoke of him. Passed from one friendly hand
to another she reached Toronto, and was living quietly there as a
servant. One evening there was a rap at the door and she went to answer.
On opening it she beheld the fellow who claimed to own her. She
screamed. Putting his hand over her mouth he lifted her to a sleigh,
which drove off. Two passersby, who saw what happened, ran after the
sleigh and on its halting at a tavern, one hurried off for a constable
while the other kept watch. Entering the tavern they demanded the girl,
and under threat of arrest the fellow had to let her go. If he had not,
the crowd in the barroom wo