The Log House by the Lake | Page 7

the luggage. "Not that there's much need
of that," he remarked, "for the Injuns about here is honest fellows, and
there isn't a white settler who'd touch as much as a ha'porth of baccy,
'cept maybe a newly-arrived Irishman, who hasn't learnt the ways of the
country."
The boat was of good size, calculated for the waters of Lake Huron,
and fitted with mast and sails, though these were not now used. The
lake was smooth as glass, reflecting the bright stars from the clear sky,
and broken only by the fish which here and there rose to the surface,
showing their size by the loud sound of the splashes they made. The
irregular borders of the lake rose clear and well-defined on every side
a-head, appearing to be of considerable height, almost mountains, in
the doubtful light of morning. Philip, with Harry, and Charley, and
Peter, with a lad they had hired, pulled, while Mr Ashton steered. "Row,
brothers, row," sang out Harry. "Our home is a-head, and daylight is
past. I am glad that the rapids are not near, though, for with our
well-freighted craft it would be a ticklish job running them, I guess."
The moon soon rose large and clear, a brilliant globe floating in aether
rather than the pale-coloured disc which it appears in England. As it
shot upward in the clear sky it shed a silvery light over the scene,
which became perfectly fairy-like in its beauty. "It is well worth
leaving all the glare and bustle of London for the sake of enjoying such
a scene as this," said Sophy, and her sisters echoed the sentiment. "I
remember just such an one on Como," observed Philip, who had made
a tour on the Continent during the last long vacation. "But even if the
scene we have left equalled this in beauty, I should prize this far more,"
replied his sister. "I will tell you why. I feel that this is our own; we are

at home here, and may admire it without regret, because we know that
we may enjoy it over and over again."
"Hillo! what boat is that?" shouted a voice from some distance, and a
dark object glided from behind a tree-covered islet they were passing,
and crossed the bright pathway which the moon cast athwart the lake.
"What, D'Arcy! is that you?" shouted Philip, in return.
"It's myself, unless I happen to be changed into another gintleman,"
was the Irish-like reply.
"All right, old fellow, come along. I want your promised aid," said
Philip. "I have some few cargoes of goods to be transported across the
lake before the moon sets, and you are the very man I was wishing for."
"Why, Philip, are you not asking too much of a gentleman who must be
almost a stranger to you?" enquired Sophy, in a doubtful tone.
"Not at all; we all help each other out here; I have found out that,"
answered her brother. "He is a capital fellow, a gentleman to the
backbone, and knows that I will do the same for him with equal
pleasure. We are fortunate in having such a neighbour, and from what
he tells me, he hopes to have his mother and sisters out when he has got
things a little square."
D'Arcy's boat was soon alongside. When he heard who had arrived, he
volunteered at once to go to the settlement to begin loading his boat,
that he might assist Philip when he wanted to load his.
"A capital idea, D'Arcy, just like you; do so, old fellow," was all Philip
said as they parted.
In a short time the boat was alongside a small wooden pier, which
afforded a convenient landing-place.
"The house is some way up the hill; I will steer you between the
stumps," said Philip, offering his arm to his mother, while the rest

followed in their wake. A few minutes' walk brought them in front of a
plank edifice of the Swiss cottage style; the defects of which, whatever
they were, were not visible by moonlight. There were four doors, and
as many rather diminutive windows. "This is but a summer house,
remember," said Philip, as they stood before the long low building.
"We had to build our house according to our planks; your room is at
one end, then comes the sitting-room, and then ours, and the girls'.
Remember, five days ago the foundations were not commenced. We
don't take long to raise a house in this country;--but, enter."
All were delighted, for although the cottage was but a long narrow shed,
by means of three divisions and a liberal use of canvas and paper,
Philip and his assistants had formed a neat sitting-room and two
bedrooms, besides a rougher one for himself and his brothers. In the