im. One question troubled him, and that was, How the
Buffalo scoundrel had come to know where Tilly was hid? To satisfy a
surmise, he drew up at the tavern that had been opened opposite our road
to question its owner, who frankly gave the desired information. The two
men stopped at the tavern to get warmed and had several drinks. One of
them said he was looking for his daughter, who had run away from home.
He had traced her, he thought, by being told a man and a young girl had
been seen driving up Yonge-street Friday night. The tavern-keeper said
he saw such a couple turn into the byroad in front of his place, and
wondered at it, for it was rare to see anybody enter that road. Question
followed question and the men learned all they needed to find the house,
and to attack it. On taking a parting drink, the tall fellow exclaimed,
'I have got her.' Reaching home we found all well except the master,
whose neck was still swollen and painful. He was lying on the bench near
the fire. Jabez explained his errand and the message he brought. The
master pulled the head of Jabez close to his mouth, for he could only
whisper, and said, 'You tell Mr Bambray that what happened Sabbath night
made me an abolitionist, and the girl will stay here until she wants to
leave. Is not that your mind, Ailie?' 'You have spoken what was in my
own mind, Andrew.' Tilly, who was standing by, burst into tears, and
clasping the mistress by the neck kissed her saying, 'I will serve you
good.' She was the most grateful creature I ever met. Jabez stayed
until after dinner, and, on leaving, promised to give us a hand when it
was time to burn our brushpiles. Tilly made herself useful not only in
our home but those of Brodie and Auld and proved to be a real help.

* * * * *

Jany 16--Thankful I can again bend my head without pain. The woods are a
glorious sight. It snowed yesterday morning. Before dark the snow turned
to rain, which froze as it fell, encrusting everything. On the sun
coming out bright this morning the trees sparkled as if made of crystal
and the branches of the evergreens hung in masses of radiant white. So
Alice described them, and we all agreed a sight so beautiful we never
saw.

Jany 17--Robbie and Allan set off on snowshoes for a day's hunting and
came back in the afternoon carrying a deer, which they had run down,
being enabled to do so by the crust on the snow breaking under the poor
animal's hoofs. Ther