k comes to a standstill in winter, chopping
can still be carried on, fallen trees cut up and fresh trees cut down.
One of the customs of the country is to form a bee when any particular
piece of work has to be done in a hurry. Such as a log hut or a barn
raised, or some ground cleared.

The bees are the neighbours who come from far and near; they receive no
wages, but are fed well, and whiskey is served out too well while they
are at work. The more industrious among the settlers employed the time
in the house in making household furniture, mending their tools, and in
many other ways--not forgetting reading the Bible to their families.

The winter was already some way advanced when most of the inhabitants of
Thornhill were invited to chop trees and to put up a log hut, by a
gentleman, a Mr Sudbury, who had bought land about three miles off and
wished to get in some crops as soon as the snow was off the ground.

Michael Hale, and Rob, and John Kemp, and Mr Landon, and many others
went. They expected to clear half an acre of ground, and to get the
walls and roof of the log hut up in one day. Most of the settlers in
Thornhill were well, in spite of the cold, except Mrs Kemp. She had
for some time been ailing, and expected soon to give birth to another
child, Mrs Hale had gone in to have a chat with her, and to help her in
some household matters, when Tommy came running in breathless.

"What's the matter, Tommy; eh boy?" asked Mrs Hale.

"A big tree has come down at Mr Sudbury's clearing, and killed, or
pretty nigh killed, some one. Nobody knows who it is, but I hope it's
not father, nor Mr Hale either."

These words frightened both the wives, who wanted to set off at once.

"No, no, I'll go," said Mrs Hale. "You stay quiet at home, Mrs Kemp.
It's the only fit place for you."

Just then, one of the Miss Landon's came in to see Mrs Kemp. She said,
if Tony, who had come up with his mother, would go with her, she would
set off at once, with such things as were likely to be of use to the
sufferer, whoever he might be.

"You, Mrs Hale, stay and take care of Mrs Kemp," she said.

This Mrs Hale promised to do, for Mrs Kemp was looking very ill.

Mary Landon was a young girl of much sense. She hurried home, and
collected all the articles she might require.

Tony said that he knew a short cut, but as it was not beaten down it
could not be passed except on snow-shoes. His own he had brought with
him. Mary had l