One day, Dr. Dunlop came to my house, and informed me that I was to accompany him on an expedition to the township of Wilmot, joining the Huron tract, to examine the site, and make a report of the probable cost of building a bridge over the river Nith—­or “Smith’s Creek,” as it was then called—­one of the tributaries of the Grand River.  “The accountant,” he said, “has taken it into his head that he will accompany us; and, as he has never been in the Bush before, won’t we put him through his facings before he gets back? that is all.  Mind, and keep your eye on me.  When I am ready to play him off, I will give the signal to you.”

“Well, Doctor,” said I, “if you will take the blame, I have no objection to the fun; but remember!  I am a very young man, and if Mr. Smith should complain to the Company—­”

“Oh, never fear,” was his reply, “for I will make it all right with Galt, if he do.  In the meantime, order my man to saddle the horses.  Let the Cockney have the roan-mare.  You can take your own pony; and do not forget to tell Hinds to bring the brandy.  Should we have to camp out all-night, a small soupcon of the creature will do us no harm.”

Everything being in readiness, we started about two o’clock, P.M.  Our route lay through the new settlement of Guelph and the fine townships of Upper and Lower Waterloo.  This tract of land was originally bought and settled by a company of Dutch Pennsylvanians, upwards of fifty years ago.  The Grand River, or Ouse, intersects these townships—­a fine stream, spanned by several substantial bridges.  This part of the country is densely populated and very fertile.  The soil, for the most part, is a light rich loam.

As soon as we had crossed the open country, we entered a narrow bush-road, only just wide enough for two persons to ride abreast.  It must be remembered that Smith was a very bad rider, and looked as if he had never been on horse-back before; for every time he rose in his saddle you could see his horse’s head under him.

The Doctor now gave me the wink to fall into the rear; then riding up abreast of Smith, he commenced operations by slyly sticking his spur into the roan mare, exclaiming at the same time, “Come, man, if we don’t push on a little, we shall not reach Blenheim to-night.”

As soon as the roan mare felt the spur, off she went at a rattling pace, the Dr. keeping close along-side, and applying the spur whenever he could get a chance.  At first, Smith tried hard to pull in the mare; then he shouted to the Doctor to stop her; instead of which, the spur was only applied the sharper.  At last, quite frightened, he seized the mane with both his hands.  And then commenced a neck-and-neck race for nearly two miles—­myself and the Doctor’s man, John Hinds, bringing up the rear, and shouting with laughter.  Smith was so frightened, and so intent on stopping his run-away steed, that he never suspected his persecutor who, looking quite grave, said, “He never remembered his roan running off in that extraordinary manner before; but,” he added with a grin, “I suspect, Smith, she knew you were a Cockney.”