r
way, and once more, after three days' journey, we entered the valley
which had at first so enchanted me. It now wore a very different aspect
to my eyes. The sky was cloudy, and we had come from so far superior a
region that I was very thankful we had not selected it for our location.
As we passed through the gorge, the light of the sun being shut out
from us, my spirits sank, and I began to dread lest our camp might have
been attacked, and we should find it in the same condition as that from
which we had rescued Lily. I forgot how confident my father was that it
would be safe, and that I ought not to be doubtful of his judgment.

Emerging at last from the pass, I caught sight of the white tilts of the
waggons, arranged in perfect order. A cheer rose as we approached, and
Martin hurried out to greet us, and to report "all well."

The journey across the mountain with the heavy waggons, was a far more
difficult undertaking than with the carts, but by caution, perseverance,
and judgment, we succeeded in getting through without any accident, and
I was rewarded on my arrival by the approbation of my father.

For some time after this, we were busily engaged in putting up a house
and outbuildings, with cottages for the men, and in fencing in land for
a garden, and fields, so that during that period we met with no
adventures worth narrating.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

OUR NEW HOME--FORTIFICATIONS--SNAKE-FENCING--EDUCATION OF MY SISTER AND
LILY--DIO MEANS TO CATCH A BEAR--DEPREDATIONS ON OUR POULTRY-YARD--
CAPTURE OF DAME BRUIN--A CONTRIBUTION TO UNCLE DENIS'S MENAGERIE--
TRAINING THE CUBS--HUNTING EXPEDITIONS--A COLONY OF BEAVERS--HOW THE
DAMS ARE BUILT--DIO'S MAGIC STICKS--WE TURN TRAPPERS--FIGHT WITH A
GRIZZLY--VISIT OF A WOLVERINE TO OUR HUT--TRAPS SET--OUR SUCCESS--LEFT
IN CHARGE--AN INDIAN TAKES ME BY SURPRISE--KLUKO'S WARNING TO THE
PALE-FACES--COMMENCE OUR RETURN JOURNEY.

The grand point had to be settled, the name we should give to our new
home in the wilderness. Kathleen and Lily begged that it might be
called "Smiling Valley Farm," and all voices were unanimous in deciding
as they wished. A dwelling-house was constructed of rough logs, like an
ordinary log hut but larger, the trunks being placed above each other
horizontally, with a groove in the lower to receive the upper one and
the ends fitting into each other, while the interstices were plastered
with clay and the interior lined with shingles or planks sp