them feel as secure in the midst of the raging
storm as they would driving about in the crowded city. The true
believer in Christ is ready to die at any moment. This it is makes weak
women courageous, while strong men show themselves to be cowards when
instant death threatens them."

Philip thought to himself, "How did I behave and feel when I was in the
water this morning?--how when I found the hole in the ice, and thought
that my brothers had fallen through?" The journey to the clearing,
which across the ice would not have occupied twenty minutes, and not an
hour by land had the snow been hard, took up more than two hours, with
the risk of an overturn or break-down every yard, and such jolting as
only well-knit limbs would endure.

At last the log-house appeared before them. "A very creditable edifice;
really, Mr Philip, you were born a backwoodsman," exclaimed Mr Norman.
"I learned carpentering, and the principal rules for house-building,
while my hands and eyes have been kept in exercise from my childhood,"
was the answer. "That is the preparation required for all settlers in
the bush, and which so large a number want and fail of success in
consequence--or at all events waste precious years in gaining at a heavy
cost the knowledge with which they ought to begin. I commenced the
world without a sixpence, and have worked my way up to wealth and
independence by the proper use of my hands and head. A settler, to
rise, must have both. We welcome hands in the province. The possessor
of a head benefits himself chiefly--not that we could get on without
heads either."

As they drove up to the door, D'Arcy was the first person to meet them.
Philip's heart sunk within him in spite of what Mr Norman had been
saying. He hoped to have seen his brothers. "Where are the lads?" he
exclaimed, eagerly. "All right, come in. I will take your horse round,
Mr Norman," said D'Arcy; and as the door opened, the boys' voices were
heard from their room. The rest of the family quickly came to the
entrance to welcome them; and D'Arcy, coming back, explained what had
occurred. He had seen the blaze of their burning hut, but not
suspecting the cause, had gone across the lake with his canoe on
runners, to ascertain if they had got home safe, not sorry for a good
excuse for his visit. His appearance naturally caused great dismay and
anxiety. He, however, afforded his friends some comfort, by assuring
them that he believed the mis