sisted of white-fish
(salted), roast venison, boiled salt beef, roast turkey, and a
plum-pudding, and they were all very merry, although they were in the
woods of Canada and not at Wexton Hall.

"My children," said Mr Campbell, after dinner, "I now drink all your
healths, and wish you as much happiness as the world affords, and at the
same time accept my most hearty thanks and my dearest love. You have
all been good, obedient, and cheerful, and have lightened many a heavy
load. If, when it pleased Providence to send us into this wilderness,
it had been part of my lot to contend with wilful and disobedient
children; if there had been murmuring and repining at our trials;
discontent and quarrelling among yourselves, how much more painful would
have been our situation. On the contrary, by your good humour and
attention, your willing submission to privations, and your affectionate
conduct towards me, my wife, and each other, you have not allowed us to
feel the change of position to which we have been reduced. I say again,
my dear children all, you have my thanks, and may the Almighty bless and
preserve you!"

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.

THE BEAVERS.

When we left off our narrative, our Canadian settlers were enjoying
themselves on Christmas-Day. On the following morning, Malachi Bone,
the Strawberry, and John, set off for their abode to the westward, and
Captain Sinclair and his companion went back to the fort. The Indian
woman was better, and the family resumed their usual occupations. We
must now briefly narrate a few events which occurred during the
remainder of the long winter. Malachi and John made their appearance,
accompanied by the Strawberry, almost every Sunday, and the old hunter
appeared gradually to become more reconciled to the society of others,
and sometimes would remain for a day or two over the Sunday. The Indian
woman, in the course of three weeks, was quite recovered, and signified,
through the Strawberry, her wish to leave and join her tribe. To this,
of course, no objection was raised; and having received a supply of
provisions, she took her leave at the latter end of the month of
January.

February,--March followed, and the winter still continued, but the sun
became more powerful, and the weather was not so severe. It was not
till the middle of April that the lake was clear of ice and the thaw
commenced, and then it was so rapid, that the little stream became quite
an impetuous torrent,