h to God's Word. No chapel or church had as yet
arisen, and the gospel would not have been proclaimed had not Mr
Skinner invited the inhabitants to meet him beneath the shade of the
lofty trees, where, with his own hands, he had cleared away the
brushwood. Here he proclaimed the glad tidings of salvation by the
blood of the Lamb, to many who had never before heard the glorious news.
Many assembled gladly, especially the settlers from bonnie Scotland;
some came from curiosity, or to pass away the time; and a few to mock at
the unauthorised preacher, who, in his ordinary dress, ventured, as they
asserted, to set himself up among his fellows. Provided souls were won,
the stranger cared nothing for the remarks which might be made.

He had purchased a plot of ground on the banks of the stream, some way
removed from the township, and here, with the aid of three or four hired
labourers, he had made a clearing and erected a log-hut, at which Donald
was always a welcome guest, with several others who came to hear God's
Word explained.

The winter came on, and snow covered the ground, but the axemen went on
with their labours, and the tall trunks they felled could now with
greater ease be dragged either to the saw-mill, to the spots where
log-huts were to be erected, to form snake fencing, or to the great
heaps prepared for burning. Donald was surprised to find how rapidly
the months went by, and how soon the period of the year at which he had
arrived in Canada had returned.

CHAPTER SIX.

LETTERS FROM HOME.--MARGARET LOSES HER FRIEND.--UNSATISFACTORY REPORT OF
ALEC.--DAVID RESOLVES TO GO OUT.--DONALD URGES HIS SISTER AND JANET TO
COME ALSO, AND PREPARES FOR THEIR RECEPTION.--NO TIDINGS CAN BE OBTAINED
OF ALEC.--DAVID'S ARRIVAL.--MR. SKINNER EXPLAINS TO HIM IMPORTANT GOSPEL
TRUTHS.

Donald had frequently written home, and had heard from Margaret and
David in return. Every word from them was of interest to him, and all
kind Janet's sayings and doings were faithfully recorded. She seemed to
work even harder than ever; but as Margaret remarked:--

"She manages to make her purchases at a cheapness that surprises me, and
I often cannot account for the number of articles she brings home for
the money she has to expend. Perhaps she gets more for her yarn than
formerly, or has a hoard with which we are unacquainted. Mrs Galbraith
is as kind as ever, and gives me a number of things which assist me
greatly. Her health i