entire
truth of his statement.

After his foot healed he returned to his land, and, with the assistance
of his family, cleared up a large farm. His location, however, was not
well chosen; and, consequently, he was not a thriving settler. He,
however, managed to bring up a large family, who are now sufficiently
independent of him to maintain themselves and families comfortably.

On his father's death, about three years since, he returned with his
wife to Ireland, where I believe he intends to pass the remainder of
his days.

I wish to make one remark before closing this chapter: does it not
speak well for Canada, when a person, who was neither an active nor a
clever person, and who had suffered almost unheard-of misfortunes, was
still able to gain a living and see his family settled in comparative
comfort? Under such circumstances, what would have been the fate of
these people in England or Ireland?--Abject pauperism.

CHAPTER X.

PREPARATIONS FOR MY SECOND MARRIAGE. -- DANGEROUS ADVENTURE. -- MY
WIFE'S NOCTURNAL VISITOR. -- WE PREPARE FOR THE RECEPTION OF OUR
UNINVITED GUEST. -- BRUIN'S UNWELCOME VISIT TO AN IRISH SHANTY. -- OUR
BEAR HUNT. -- MAJOR ELLIOTT'S DUEL WITH BRUIN. -- HIS WOUNDS AND
VICTORY.

I SPENT the spring of 1827 very pleasantly in the company of my new
friends. I used to go down to my farm every morning, and return in the
evening to a cheerful fire-side and agreeable society, which rewarded
me for the toils of the day. I had fenced in my fields, planted my
spring crops, Indian corn, and potatoes, which looked promising; and I
had my house nearly finished. I, therefore, considered it was time I
should go and reside in it, and not trespass any longer on the
hospitality of my kind and generous friends. As, however, I did not
like the thought of living the life of a hermit, and my little boy; for
whom I had sent, was weaned, and growing healthy and lovely under the
kind hospitality of my friends, required now a watchful parental care,
I proposed to, and was accepted by, my friend's eldest daughter, in
whom I found what I sought--a faithful mother for my child, and the
most devoted and affectionate wife for myself. A better woman, indeed,
never existed. For upwards of twenty-two years she shared my various
fortunes, and formed my greatest earthly blessing. A few days before my
marriage--an event to which I naturally looked forward for an increase
of happiness--an accident occurred, which might ha