good land for the settler.  The tallest and finest pines are often on the top of stony ridges.  Starting anew, they came to the streamlet that fed the pond and a short tramp beyond it Jabez spied another surveyor’s stake.  ’This is the western limit of Bambray’s lot; between the two stakes he has 400 acres.’  He asked the master if he wanted to cross the lot lengthways and see the two ends, but he saw no need, for so far as he could judge the land was all of the same quality.  ‘Supposing I buy the lot, how am I to get into it?’ ’You will have to continue the bridle-path to where you place your house, and that is enough for an ox-sledge.’  ‘That means some work?’ ‘Yes,’ replied Jabez smiling ’there is nothing to be had in the bush without hard work; it is hard work and poor grub.’

Coming back to the horses, they found they had finished the oats Jabez had brought, and were nibbling at the leaves within reach.  On regaining Yonge street, the horses were watered at a tavern, Jabez dropping five coppers on the counter, the price of two drinks.  ’You are expected to drink when you stop to water a horse, but I want no whiskey, I prefer to pay for what the horse drinks.’  Arrived in Toronto the master said he would go and see Mr Bambray after supper.  Jabez asked him to remember that Quakers do not dicker, so if the price was too high for him to pay to come away at once.

The master found Mr Bambray reading a newspaper, told him he was satisfied with the land and would buy it were the price within his ability.  The Quaker took from a desk a sheet of paper; pointing to the figures written on it he said, ’I do not deal in land, believing it not to be agreeable with the teaching of the Gospel to make merchandize of what God intended for all his children.  I do not consider it right to buy land you are not able or do not mean to make use of, but secure with a view to sell at an advanced price to the man who will cultivate it.  These 400 acres were transferred to me for a just debt which the man could not otherwise pay.  On this line is the amount of that debt, here are the legal charges paid by me in the transaction, and here is interest.  The whole totals $472, which is the price.’  The master was surprised, for from what he had heard of the prices asked for land so close to Toronto at least double would have been sought.  ’My friends and I are able to pay that sum to you and we take the land.’  The Quaker moved not a muscle.  Taking up a quill he wrote out a promise of sale, and was given a bank of Scotland note for ten pounds as surety.  Inquiring what steps he would next take, the master was advised to secure the services of Jabez for a month at least.  ’Thee are ignorant of bush-farming and need an instructor, otherwise loss will befall thee and much trouble.’  Arranging for the final transfer of the land, the master sought out Jabez.  He and two brothers carried on a cartage business.  Jabez said there would not be more calls than his brothers could attend to until August, and he would go if he was willing to pay two dollars a day for himself and an ox-team.  ‘That is settled,’ replied the master.  ‘Now what is to be done first?’ ’To cut out a sledge-road across your lot, so that you may get your freight in.’  To help he was to hire a man, and it was arranged to start at daylight.