The Settlers in Canada | Page 8

now
about four years, and I read a letter from him which the purser received
when the frigate arrived at Portsmouth, in which he states that he is
doing well, and getting rich fast; that he has a farm of five hundred
acres, of which two hundred are cleared; and that if he only had some
children large enough to help him, he would soon be worth ten times
the money, as he would purchase more land immediately. Land is to be
bought there at a dollar an acre, and you may pick and choose. With
your money, you might buy a large property; with your children, you
might improve it fast; and in a few years, you would at all events be
comfortable, if not flourishing, in your circumstances. Your children
would work for you, and you would have the satisfaction of knowing
that you left them independent and happy."
"I acknowledge, my dear boy, that you have struck upon a plan which
has much to recommend it. Still there are drawbacks."
"Drawbacks!" replied Alfred, "yes, to be sure, there are; if estates were
to be picked up for merely going out for them, there would not be many

left for you to choose; but, my dear father, I know no drawbacks which
can not be surmounted. Let us see what these drawbacks are. First, hard
labor; occasional privation; a log hut, till we can get a better; severe
winter; isolation from the world; occasional danger, even from wild
beasts and savages. I grant these are but sorry exchanges for such a
splendid mansion as this--fine furniture, excellent cooking, polished
society, and the interest one feels for what is going on in our own
country, which is daily communicated to us. Now, as to hard labor, I
and Henry will take as much of that off your hands as we can: if the
winter is severe, there is no want of firewood; if the cabin is rude, at
least we will make it comfortable; if we are shut out from the world, we
shall have society enough among ourselves; if we are in danger, we will
have firearms and stout hearts to defend ourselves; and, really, I do not
see but we may be very happy, very comfortable, and, at all events,
very independent."
"Alfred, you talk as if you were going with us," said Mrs. Campbell.
"And do you think that I am not, my dear mother? Do you imagine that
I would remain here when you were there, and my presence would be
useful? No--no--I love the service, it is true, but I know my duty, which
is, to assist my father and mother: in fact, I prefer it; a midshipman's
ideas of independence are very great; and I had rather range the wilds
of America free and independent, than remain in the service, and have
to touch my hat to every junior lieutenant, perhaps for twenty years to
come. If you go, I go, that is certain. Why, I should be miserable if you
went without me; I should dream every night that an Indian had run
away with Mary, or that a bear had eaten up my little Emma."
"Well, I'll take my chance of the Indian," replied Mary Percival.
"And I of the bear," said Emma. "Perhaps he'll only hug me as tight as
Alfred did when he came home."
"Thank you, miss, for the comparison," replied Alfred, laughing.
"I certainly consider that your proposal, Alfred, merits due reflection,"
observed Mrs. Campbell. "Your father and I will consult, and perhaps

by to-morrow morning we may have come to a decision. Now we had
better all go to bed."
"I shall dream of the Indian, I am sure," said Mary.
"And I shall dream of the bear," added Emma, looking archly at Alfred.
"And I shall dream of a very pretty girl--that I saw at Portsmouth," said
Alfred.
"I don't believe you," replied Emma.
Shortly afterward Mr. Campbell rang the bell for the servants; family
prayers were read, and all retired in good spirits.
The next morning they all met at an early hour; and after Mr. Campbell
had, as was his invariable rule, read a portion of the Bible, and a prayer
of thankfulness, they sat down to breakfast. After breakfast was over,
Mr. Campbell said--
"My dear children, last night, after you had left us, your mother and I
had a long consultation, and we have decided that we have no
alternative left us but to follow the advice which Alfred has given: if,
then, you are all of the same opinion as we are, we have resolved that
we will try our fortunes in the Canadas."
"I am certainly of that opinion," replied Henry.
"And you, my girls?" said Mr. Campbell.
"We will follow