ns, upwards of fifty
years ago. The Grand River, or Ouse, intersects these townships--a fine
stream, spanned by several substantial bridges. This part of the
country is densely populated and very fertile. The soil, for the most
part, is a light rich loam.

As soon as we had crossed the open country, we entered a narrow bush-
road, only just wide enough for two persons to ride abreast. It must be
remembered that Smith was a very bad rider, and looked as if he had
never been on horse-back before; for every time he rose in his saddle
you could see his horse's head under him.

The Doctor now gave me the wink to fall into the rear; then riding up
abreast of Smith, he commenced operations by slyly sticking his spur
into the roan mare, exclaiming at the same time, "Come, man, if we
don't push on a little, we shall not reach Blenheim to-night."

As soon as the roan mare felt the spur, off she went at a rattling
pace, the Dr. keeping close along-side, and applying the spur whenever
he could get a chance. At first, Smith tried hard to pull in the mare;
then he shouted to the Doctor to stop her; instead of which, the spur
was only applied the sharper. At last, quite frightened, he seized the
mane with both his hands. And then commenced a neck-and-neck race for
nearly two miles--myself and the Doctor's man, John Hinds, bringing up
the rear, and shouting with laughter. Smith was so frightened, and so
intent on stopping his run-away steed, that he never suspected his
persecutor who, looking quite grave, said, "He never remembered his
roan running off in that extraordinary manner before; but," he added
with a grin, "I suspect, Smith, she knew you were a Cockney."

After this exploit, we went on soberly enough, until we entered the
township of Blenheim. We had still some distance to travel through a
dense forest, before we should reach Springer's--a farm-house where we
intended to stop all night, and where the Doctor kept a store of good
things, under the charge of Mrs. Springer; for this was always his
halting-place, on his various journeys to Goderich.

Darkness fell as we entered the Blenheim woods, and now the Doctor took
the opportunity of asking me, "If I thought that I could howl?" I
expressed confidence in my abilities that way.

The Doctor then said, "Second any move of mine for pushing you on to
Springer's. But mind," continued he, "you are to stop within half a
mile of his clearing; and when you hear us coming, you mus