We crossed the bridge over the Otonabee, in the rising town of Peterborough, at eight o’clock in the morning.  Winter had now set in fairly.  The children were glad to huddle together in the bottom of the sleigh, under the buffalo skins and blankets; all but my eldest boy, who, just turned of five years old, was enchanted with all he heard and saw, and continued to stand up and gaze around him.  Born in the forest, which he had never quitted before, the sight of a town was such a novelty that he could find no words wherewith to express his astonishment.

“Are the houses come to see one another?” he asked.  “How did they all meet here?”

The question greatly amused his uncle, who took some pains to explain to him the difference between town and country.  During the day, we got rid of old Jenny and her bonnets, whom we found a very refractory travelling companion; as wilful, and far more difficult to manage than a young child.  Fortunately, we overtook the sleighs with the furniture, and Mr. S—–­ transferred Jenny to the care of one of the drivers; an arrangement that proved satisfactory to all parties.

We had been most fortunate in obtaining comfortable lodgings for the night.  The evening had closed in so intensely cold that although we were only two miles from C—–­, Addie was so much affected by it that the child lay sick and pale in my arms, and, when spoken to, seemed scarcely conscious of our presence.

My brother jumped from the front seat, and came round to look at her.  “That child is ill with the cold; we must stop somewhere to warm her, or she will hardly hold out till we get to the inn at C—–.”

We were just entering the little village of A—–­, in the vicinity of the court-house, and we stopped at a pretty green cottage, and asked permission to warm the children.  A stout, middle-aged woman came to the sleigh, and in the kindest manner requested us to alight.

“I think I know that voice,” I said.  “Surely it cannot be Mrs. S—–­, who once kept the —–­ hotel at C—–?”

“Mrs. Moodie, you are welcome,” said the excellent woman, bestowing upon me a most friendly embrace; “you and your children.  I am heartily glad to see you again after so many years.  God bless you all!”

Nothing could exceed the kindness and hospitality of this generous woman; she would not hear of our leaving her that night, and, directing my brother to put up his horses in her stable, she made up an excellent fire in a large bedroom, and helped me to undress the little ones who were already asleep, and to warm and feed the rest before we put them to bed.

This meeting gave me real pleasure.  In their station of life, I seldom have found a more worthy couple than this American and his wife; and, having witnessed so many of their acts of kindness, both to ourselves and others, I entertained for them a sincere respect and affection, and truly rejoiced that Providence had once more led me to the shelter of their roof.