ded from behind a tree-covered islet they were passing,
and crossed the bright pathway which the moon cast athwart the lake.

"What, D'Arcy! is that you?" shouted Philip, in return.

"It's myself, unless I happen to be changed into another gintleman," was
the Irish-like reply.

"All right, old fellow, come along. I want your promised aid," said
Philip. "I have some few cargoes of goods to be transported across the
lake before the moon sets, and you are the very man I was wishing for."

"Why, Philip, are you not asking too much of a gentleman who must be
almost a stranger to you?" enquired Sophy, in a doubtful tone.

"Not at all; we all help each other out here; I have found out that,"
answered her brother. "He is a capital fellow, a gentleman to the
backbone, and knows that I will do the same for him with equal pleasure.
We are fortunate in having such a neighbour, and from what he tells me,
he hopes to have his mother and sisters out when he has got things a
little square."

D'Arcy's boat was soon alongside. When he heard who had arrived, he
volunteered at once to go to the settlement to begin loading his boat,
that he might assist Philip when he wanted to load his.

"A capital idea, D'Arcy, just like you; do so, old fellow," was all
Philip said as they parted.

In a short time the boat was alongside a small wooden pier, which
afforded a convenient landing-place.

"The house is some way up the hill; I will steer you between the
stumps," said Philip, offering his arm to his mother, while the rest
followed in their wake. A few minutes' walk brought them in front of a
plank edifice of the Swiss cottage style; the defects of which, whatever
they were, were not visible by moonlight. There were four doors, and as
many rather diminutive windows. "This is but a summer house, remember,"
said Philip, as they stood before the long low building. "We had to
build our house according to our planks; your room is at one end, then
comes the sitting-room, and then ours, and the girls'. Remember, five
days ago the foundations were not commenced. We don't take long to
raise a house in this country;--but, enter."

All were delighted, for although the cottage was but a long narrow shed,
by means of three divisions and a liberal use of canvas and paper,
Philip and his assistants had formed a neat sitting-room and two
bedrooms, besides a rougher one for himself and his brothers. In the
sitting-room was a table covered wi