in their blood. Around the body of poor
Ralph lay six Indians, with their skulls beat in; his gun furnishing
evidence, by its mutilated state, of the force with which he had used
it. My story is soon finished. As the tears streamed from my eyes, I dug
a grave where I deposited the remains of my friends, and after placing a
large stone above their resting place, I departed, wishing never to
return to the spot again, and I never have."
[B] Near the spot where the cabin stands are the remains of immense
works, but by whom and when built will forever remain hidden.
HAZEL-BROOK FARM.
Robert Ainslie, with his family, emigrated from Scotland about the
year of 1843, and settled upon a new farm in the backwoods, in the
township of R. in Eastern Canada. I can say but little regarding his
early life, but have been informed that he was the eldest of quite a
large family of sons and daughters; and also that he was a dutiful son
as well as a kind and affectionate brother. It seems that he married
quite early in life, and at that period he tended a small farm adjoining
the one occupied by his father. The utmost harmony existed between the
two families, and they lived in the daily interchange of those little
offices of love and kindness which render friends so dear to each other.
Several years glided by in this happy manner, but reverses at length
came; and Robert formed the plan of emigrating to America. But when he
saw how much his parents were grieved by the thought of his seeking a
home on the other side of the Atlantic, he forbore to talk farther of
the matter, and decided to remain at home for another year at least.
That year, however, proved a very unfortunate one; his crops were
scanty; and toward the spring he met with some severe losses, by a
distemper which broke out among his farm stock. As the season advanced,
he became so disheartened by his gloomy prospects, that he decided to
carry out his former plan of emigrating to Canada; where he hoped by
persevering industry to secure a comfortable home for himself and those
dear to him. He had little difficulty in persuading his wife to
accompany him, as her parents with her two brothers and one sister had
emigrated some two years previous. It was more difficult, however, for
him to persuade his father and mother that his decision was a wise one.
"If ye maun leave us," said his mother, "can ye no seek anither hame
nearer han', an' no gang awa across the water to yon
|