it tumbled into the water. All this we
might dilate on, and a great deal more--such as the great friendship
struck up between Oscar and Oliver, and the intense interest expressed
by Hendrick on finding that his friend Paul possessed a manuscript copy
of the Gospel of John, and the frequent perusals of that Gospel over the
camp-fire, and the discussions that followed on the great subjects of
man's duty, the soul's destiny, and the love of God, as shown in and by
Jesus Christ--but over all this we must unwillingly draw a curtain and
leave it to the courteous reader's imagination, while we pass on to
subjects which bear more directly on the issues of our tale.

One day, some time after leaving Hendrick's camp on the great lake,
Captain Trench and his son, with Paul Burns and the hunter, halted to
rest on the summit of a cliff from which they could obtain a magnificent
view of the country lying beyond.

They had by that time passed over the rich grassland with its park-like
plains, its lakes and streams and belts of woodland, and had entered
upon that mountainous region which lies towards the southwesterly
portion of the island.

"Hendrick," said Paul, as he gazed with admiration on the wild scene
before him, "I have now seen enough to know that this land is most
suitable for the abode of man. The soil is admirable; the woods contain
magnificent timber; fish, flesh, and fowl are plentiful; coal exists in,
I should think, extensive fields, while there are indications in many
places of great mineral wealth, especially copper. Besides this, the
land, you tell me, is pierced by innumerable bays, inlets, fords, and
natural harbours; and, to crown all, the climate, except on some parts
of the coast, is exceedingly good. Now it seems to me that these facts
ought to be made known in England, and that our King should not only
take possession, but should send out colonists to settle all over this
island and develop its resources. If permitted, it will be my part to
finish this exploration and carry home the news."

Hendrick did not reply for a few minutes, then a faint sigh escaped him
as he replied--

"No doubt what you say is just, and I doubt not that these plains and
hills will one day resound with the activities of civilised life: the
plough will obliterate the deer-tracks, the axe will lay low the
forests, and the lowing of cattle and the bark of dogs will replace the
trumpeting of the wild-goose and the cry of plove