d a
joyous welcome. The household had by this time got into great excitement
over our non-appearance. The expected meeting had, of course, been
abandoned hours ago: and the people were all gone, wondering in their
hearts "whereto this would grow!"

At that time, in the depth of winter, the roads were often wrought into
rivers of mire, and at many points almost impassable even for
well-appointed conveyances. In connection therewith, I had one very
perilous experience. I had to go from Clunes to a farm in the Learmouth
district. The dear old Minister there, Mr. Downes, went with me to every
place where a horse could be hired; but the owners positively
refused--they would sell, but they would not hire, for the conveyance
would be broken, and the horse would never return alive! Now, I was
advertised to preach at Learmouth, and must somehow get over the nine
miles that lay between. This would have been comparatively practicable,
were it not that I carried with me an indispensable bag of "curios," and
a heavy bundle of clubs, arrows, dresses, etc., from the Islands,
wherewith to illustrate my lectures and enforce my appeals. No one could
be hired to carry my luggage, nor could I get it sent after me by coach
on that particular way. Therefore, seeing no alternative opening up my
path, I committed myself once more to the Lord, as in harder trials
before, shouldered my bundle of clubs, lifted my heavy bag, and started
off on foot. They urged me fervently to desist; but I heard a voice
repeating, "As thy days, so shall thy strength be." There came back to
me also the old adage that had in youthful difficulties, spurred me on,
"Where there's a will, there's a way." And I thought that with these two
in his heart, a Scotchman and a Christian would not be easily beaten.

When I found the road wrought into mire, and dangerous, or impassable, I
climbed the fence, and waded along in the plowed fields--though they
were nearly as bad. My bundle was changed from shoulder to shoulder, and
my bag from hand to hand, till I became thoroughly tired of both.
Pressing on, however, I arrived at a wayside Public-house, where several
roads met, and there I inquired the way to Learmouth, and how far it
was. The innkeeper, pointing, answered--

"This is the road. If you are on horseback, it might be three to four
miles just now, as your horse is able to take it. If you are in a
conveyance, with a good horse, it might be six miles. And if you are
wa