d it was no wonder that his mother's heart
swelled with pride and joy when she looked upon him. Straight,
muscular, and vigorous in form, his features and expression were
precisely her own, enlarged and intensified. Open and generous in
disposition, his character had a certain quality of firmness, quite in
contrast with that of his uncle Edward, and this she had carefully
sought to strengthen. In the pursuit of his studies, he had thus far
been earnest and successful.

During the last half year, however, he had chafed under the
confinements of student life, and having now become quite restive in
the harness, he had asked his father for a few months of freedom from
books. He wished to explore a wilderness, to go on a foreign voyage,
to wander away, away, anywhere beyond the sight of college walls.

"John", said Mrs. Lansdowne, "I have been conversing with your father
on the subject, and he has consented to an expedition for you".

"O! glorious! mother where am I to go? to the Barcan desert, or to the
Arctic Ocean?"

"You are to make a journey to the Miramichi River?"

"Miramichi!" said John, after a brief pause, "I thought I had a slight
acquaintance with geography, but where in the wide world is
Miramichi?"

"It is in the province of New Brunswick. You will have seventy-five
miles of almost unbroken wilderness to pass through".

"Seventy-five miles of wilderness! magnificent! where's my rifle,
mother? I haven't seen it for an age".

"Don't be so impetuous, John. This journey through the wilderness will
be anything but magnificent. You will meet many dangers by the way and
will encounter many hardships".

"But, mother, what care I for the perils of the way. Look at that
powerful member", stretching out his large, muscular arm.

"Don't trust too much in that, John. Your strong arm is a good weapon,
but you may meet something yet that is more than a match for it".

"Possibly", said John, with a sceptical air, "but when am I to start,
mother?"

"To-morrow".

"To-morrow! that is fine. Well! I must bestir myself", said he,
rising.

"Not to-night, my dear. You've nothing to do at present. Arrangements
are made. Be quiet, John. We may not sit thus together again for a
long while".

"True, mother", said he, reseating himself. "But how did you happen to
think of Miramichi?" he asked, after a pause.

"That is what I must explain to you. Your uncle Edward has committed
an act of imprudence which he fancies you