aving roofing, resolved to make the house of two stories. The walls
were formed of horizontal logs; the upper part of each log was scooped
out so as to admit the round of the one above it to fit in, and the ends
were deeply notched for the logs forming the walls at a right angle to
it. A height sufficient for the ground floor chambers having been
gained, notches were cut and the rafters placed across. Shears were
erected to raise the higher logs, and shingles, which are thin split
planks of fir, formed the roof. The house stood on a platform to raise
it above the snow; the floor being thus some way from the ground. A
verandah ran round the whole building, affording a sheltered walk when
the inmates might not otherwise be able to get fresh air.

Had not the settlers been so strong handed, the work now accomplished
could not have been performed before the winter; but it was the fable of
the bundle of sticks exemplified. Such a building would not have been
attempted except for the sake of the ladies, as the settlers would have
employed all their strength in preparing the ground for cultivation.
That necessary proceeding was not however neglected, and six acres were
chopped and burnt off before the snow covered up the brushwood.

"Here we are, fairly settled in our log house," said Mr Ashton, as he
surveyed the result of his son's architectural skill. "Let us with
grateful hearts thank our Heavenly Father who has led us thus far in
safety."

CHAPTER FIVE.

There were signs that the winter was about to begin. Snow-storms had
appeared from over the hill and swept across the lake. Ice had formed
around the edges in shallow pools, but the hot sun had come out and
completely thawed it. Often among the pine woods the heat was
excessive. Had it not been for the rich growing tints of the trees
which fringed the lake and covered its islets, it would have been
difficult to suppose that summer had passed away. There were the bright
reds and yellows of the maple, the pale straw-colour of the beech, the
copper hues of the oaks; and, indeed, Sophy found that she could exhaust
all the brightest colours of her paint-box, and yet not give sufficient
variety or brilliancy to portray correctly the gorgeous tints of the
landscape spread out before the window; nor was there blue to be found
equal to the blue of the lake, still less of the sky above it. She was
glad that she had finished her drawing in time, for a strong nort