The air was raw and cold, but our sail was not without its pleasure.

The lake was very full from the heavy rains, and the canoe bounded over the waves with a free, springy motion.  A slight frost had hung every little bush and spray along the shores with sparkling crystals.  The red pigeon-berries, shining through their coating of ice, looked like cornelian beads set in silver, and strung from bush to bush.  We found the rapids at the entrance of Bessikakoon Lake very hard to stem, and were so often carried back by the force of the water, that, cold as the air was, the great exertion which Moodie had to make use of to obtain the desired object brought the perspiration out in big drops upon his forehead.  His long confinement to the house and low diet had rendered him very weak.

The old miller received us in the most hearty and hospitable manner; and complimented me upon my courage in venturing upon the water in such cold, rough weather.  Norah was married, but the kind Betty provided us an excellent dinner, while we waited for the grist to be ground.

It was near four o’clock when we started on our return.  If there had been danger in going up the stream, there was more in coming down.  The wind had changed, the air was frosty, keen, and biting, and Moodie’s paddle came up from every dip into the water loaded with ice.  For my part, I had only to sit still at the bottom of the canoe, as we floated rapidly down with wind and tide.  At the landing we were met by old Jenny, who had a long story to tell us, of which we could make neither head nor tail—­how some gentleman had called during our absence, and left a large paper, all about the Queen and the Yankees; that there was war between Canada and the States; that Toronto had been burnt, and the governor killed, and I know not what other strange and monstrous statements.  After much fatigue, Moodie climbed the hill, and we were once more safe by our own fireside.  Here we found the elucidation of Jenny’s marvelous tales:  a copy of the Queen’s proclamation, calling upon all loyal gentlemen to join in putting down the unnatural rebellion.

A letter from my sister explained the nature of the outbreak, and the astonishment with which the news had been received by all the settlers in the bush.  My brother and my sister’s husband had already gone off to join some of the numerous bands of gentlemen who were collecting from all quarters to march to the aid of Toronto, which it was said was besieged by the rebel force.  She advised me not to suffer Moodie to leave home in his present weak state; but the spirit of my husband was aroused, he instantly obeyed what he considered the imperative call of duty, and told me to prepare him a few necessaries, that he might be ready to start early in the morning.

Little sleep visited our eyes that night.  We talked over the strange news for hours; our coming separation, and the probability that if things were as bad as they appeared to be, we might never meet again.  Our affairs were in such a desperate condition that Moodie anticipated that any change must be for the better; it was impossible for them to be worse.  But the poor, anxious wife thought only of a parting which to her put a finishing stroke to all her misfortunes.