ettlement increased, they became more onerous than at first. "If David
were with me he would find plenty to do," he said, over and over again.
"I wish that he were coming, and I have no doubt Mr Todd would obtain
for him a situation under me."

When Donald wrote home he had begged his brother and sister not to wait
till they could write and announce their intended coming, but if they
could persuade Janet to accompany them, to set off immediately. As each
party of settlers arrived he looked out eagerly, hoping to find those so
dear to him among them. He was destined frequently to be disappointed.

At last, one evening he was seated in his new house, now nearly
completed, busily employed on some plans which he had taken home from
Mr Todd's office, when he was aroused by a knock at the door. On
opening it he saw standing before him a tall slight young man, whom he
knew by his bonnet and tartan coat to be Scotch, "Does one Donald
Morrison live here?" asked the stranger, gazing eagerly at his face.
The moment he spoke Donald knew the voice; it was David's, and the
brothers' hands were clasped together.

"I should not have known you," exclaimed David, scanning Donald's
sunburnt countenance, and sturdy strongly built figure.

"Nor I you, till I heard you speak," answered Donald. "But have you not
brought Margaret and Janet?"

"I am sorry to say no. Janet would not venture across the salt ocean,
and Margaret would not quit her. Janet, indeed, did her utmost to
dissuade me from coming to this land of impenetrable forests, fierce red
men, savage wolves, roaring cataracts, and numberless other dangers,
such as she believes it is, and her dread of exposing Margaret to them,
I suspect, made her more determined to stay at home than had she herself
alone been asked to come, as for our sakes I believe she would have
risked all could she have been satisfied that Margaret would have been
in safety. Finding all my arguments useless, I set off as you wished
me."

"She is a good faithful creature, and we must still hope to overcome her
fears for our dear sister's safety," said Donald. "However, I am
thankful you have come, and I am sure that you will not be
disappointed."

Donald lost no time in placing an abundant supply of bachelor's fare,
prepared by his own hands, on the table. As may be supposed, the
brothers sat up the greater part of the night, talking over the past as
well as their future prospects.

Donald was n