and now I like it. I believe that in my old age I am coming back to my
feelings as a boy, and I think very often of my father's farm, and the
little village that was close to it; and then I often fancy that I
should like to see a village rise up here, and a church stand up there
upon the mount; I think I should like to live on till I saw a church
built and God worshiped as He ought to be."

"This is indeed a change, Malachi; well, I hope you will see a church on
the mount, and live many years afterward to be present at the weddings
and christenings."

"As it pleases God, sir. There's one thing, Mr. Alfred, that has given
me great content, and more than any thing, perhaps, reconciled me to my
new way of living; and that is, that the Strawberry, by the blessing of
God and the labor of your mother and cousins, has become a good
Christian; you don't know how pleased I am at that."

"She's an excellent little creature, Malachi; every one is fond of her,
and I believe Martin is very strongly attached to her."

"Yes, sir, she's a good wife, for she never uses her tongue, and obeys
her husband in all things. I think Martin has now become quite steady,
and you might send him to Montreal, or any where else, without fear of
his getting into the prison for making a disturbance.--I see that a bear
has been over into the maize-field last night."

"What! did he climb the snake-fence?"

"Yes, sir, they climb any thing; but I have got his tracks, and this
night I think that I shall get hold of him, for I shall lay a trap for
him."

Malachi and Alfred continued to work for two or three hours, when they
were summoned by Emma to go in to dinner. "I can not find John," said
Emma, as they walked home; "Strawberry says that he left her some time
back, and went to fish; have you seen him pass by the river's side?"

"No," replied Alfred; "but, Malachi, you said that he was going to fish
in the punt, did you not?"

"Yes, sir."

"Do you see the punt on the beach, Emma?"

"No, I do not," replied Emma; "but it may be behind the point."

"Nor can I; I hope he has not been carried away by the wind, for it
blows very hard; I'll run down, and see if he is there."

Alfred ran down to the beach; the punt was gone from the shore, and
after looking for some time to leeward, which was to the eastward, in
the direction of the rapids, Alfred thought that he perceived something
like a boat at a distance of three or four miles; but the water of