The young leader of the Switzers, however, Andre Morel, soon left his
party at Pembina under the care of his lieutenant, and returned to Red
River Settlement, bent on mastering the details of husbandry, so as to
be able afterwards to direct the energies of his compatriots into a more
profitable occupation than the chase.

For this purpose, he sought and obtained employment with the Davidsons
in the new and enlarged edition of Prairie Cottage. His sister, Elise,
was engaged by old McKay to act as companion and assistant to his
daughter Elspie. Both the curly-haired Andre and the fair, blue-eyed
Elise, proved to be invaluable acquisitions in the households in which
they had found a home, for both were lively, intelligent companions,
hard workers at whatever they undertook, and were possessed of sweet
melodious voices. Andre also performed on the violin, an instrument
which has played a prominent part in the wild Nor'-West ever since the
white-man set down his foot there.

"What do you think, Elspie, of my brother's plan, of taking the farm
just below this one, after he has had enough experience to be able to
work it himself?" asked Elise.

"It will be very nice to have him settled so near us. Do you think he
will take the whole of it?"

"I think so. You see, the terms on which the Earl has granted the land
are so easy, and the supplies of goods, oatmeal, clothing, and farm
implements sent us so generous, that Andre finds he will have money
enough to enable him to start. Then, that strong, good-natured seaman,
Fred Jenkins, has actually agreed to serve as a man on the farm for a
whole year for nothing, except, of course, his food and lodging. Isn't
it generous of him?"

"Do you know why he is going to serve him for nothing?" asked Elspie,
with a quick look and smile.

"No--I do not," returned fair little Elise with an innocent look. "Do
you?"

"O no--of course I don't; I can only guess," replied her companion with
a light laugh. "Perhaps it is because he knows his services as a farm
servant can't be worth much at first."

"There you are wrong," returned Elise, stoutly. "No doubt he is
ignorant, as yet, about sowing and reaping and the like, but he is
wonderfully strong--just like a giant at lifting and carrying-and he has
become quite knowing about horses, and carting, and such things. All
that he stipulates for is that he shall board in our house. He says
he'll manage, somehow, to make enough money t