ly to
a British colony. I am sending some people off to Canada, to a brother
of mine who is settled there; and, if you wish, you shall go with them."

"Where is Canada, and what sort of a country is it, sir?" asked Michael.

"It is away to the west, where the sun sets, and across the Atlantic
Ocean; and a vessel, sailing at the rate of nine or ten miles an hour,
takes between twelve and fourteen days to get there. It is a country
full of large rivers and lakes and streams, and has railroads running
from one end to the other. There is much forest-land to be sold; and a
man working for another for one or two years is generally able to save
money and to buy a farm, and set up for himself. The climate is very
healthy. The summers are hotter than in England, and the winters much
colder. The ground is then covered thickly with snow; but the snow is
looked on as a blessing, as, when beaten down, a capital road is made
over it, and besides it makes the earth fertile. Everything that grows
in England will grow there, and many things besides, such as
Indian-corn, or maize. Though the summers are short, they are very hot,
and corn is quickly brought to maturity. A man must work there, as
everywhere, for a living; but if he keeps from drinking, he is sure to
get plenty of work, and to be well paid."

"I think, sir, that country will just suit me," said Michael. "I find
it a hard matter to get work; and when my boys grow up, it will be still
worse."

"Well, think it over," said Mr Forster. "If you can get work, stay
where you are; if not, remember what I tell you, that Canada is a fine
country for a hard-working, strong man; and that if you determine to go
there, I will help you."

Michael thought over the matter, and talked over it with Martha, and
they agreed to go. Michael Hale told his neighbour, John Kemp, what he
was thinking of doing. When John heard that Michael was going, he said
that he would go too, for much the same reason; he had five children,
and might have many more; and the day might come when he could get no
work for himself or them either.

Michael could not have got out if it had not been for the help given him
by Mr Forster; but John Kemp had a cow and calf, two pigs, and some
poultry; and, by selling these and the furniture, he had enough to pay
his passage, and some money over. They went to Liverpool, where Mr
Forster took a passage for them on board a large ship, with nearly three
hundred