INTRODUCTION
　　IthinkIhavemet"RalphConner."Indeed，IamsureIhave——onceinacanoeontheRedRiver，onceontheAssinaboine，andtwiceorthriceontheprairiestotheWest.Thatwasnotthenamehegaveme，but，ifIamright，itcoversoneofthemosthonestandgenialofthestrongcharactersthatarefightingthedevilanddoinggoodworkformenallovertheworld.Hehasseenwithhisowneyesthelifewhichhedescribesinthisbook，andhashimself，forsomeyearsofhardandlonelytoil，assistedinthegoodinfluenceswhichhetracesamongitswildandoftenhopelessconditions.Hewriteswiththefreshnessandaccuracyofaneye—witness，withthestyle（asIthinkhisreaderswillallow）ofarealartist，andwiththetendernessandhopefulnessofamannotonlyoffaithbutofexperience，whohasseeninfulfillmenttheidealsforwhichhelives.
　　Thelifetowhichhetakesus，thoughfaroffandverystrangetoourtameminds，isthelifeofourbrothers.IntotheNorthwestofCanadatheyoungmenofGreatBritainandIrelandhavebeenpouring（Iwastold），sometimesattherateof48，000ayear.Ourbrotherswholefthomeyesterday——ourheartscannotbutfollowthem.WiththesepagesRalphConnerenablesoureyesandourmindstofollow，too;nordoIthinkthereisanyonewhoshallreadthisbookandnotfindalsothathisconscienceisquickened.Thereisawarfareappointeduntomanuponearth，anditsstrugglesarenowheremoreintense，northevictoriesofthestrong，northesuccorsbroughttothefallen，moreheroic，thanonthefieldsdescribedinthisvolume.
　　GEORGEADAMSMITH.
　　BLACKROCK
　　Thestoryofthebookistrue，andchiefofthefailuresinthemakingofthebookisthis，thatitisnotallthetruth.Thelightisnotbrightenough，theshadowisnotblackenoughtogiveatruepictureofthatbitofWesternlifeofwhichthewriterwassomesmallpart.Themenofthebookarestillthereintheminesandlumbercampsofthemountains，fightingoutthateternalfightformanhood，strong，clean，God—conquered.And，whenthewestwindsblow，totheopenearthesoundsofbattlecome，tellingthefortunesofthefight.
　　Becauseaman’slifeisallhehas，andbecausetheonlyhopeofthebraveyoungWestliesinitsmen，thisstoryistold.Itmaybethatthetragicpityofabrokenlifemaymovesometopray，andthatthatdivinepowerthereisinasinglebravehearttosummonforthhopeandcouragemaymovesometofight.Ifso，thetaleisnottoldinvain.
　　C.W.G.
　　CONTENTS
　　CHAPTERI
　　CHRISTMASEVEINALUMBERCAMP
　　CHAPTERII
　　THEBLACKROCKCHRISTMAS
　　CHAPTERIII
　　WATERLOO.OURFIGHT——HISVICTORY
　　CHAPTERIV
　　MRS.MAVOR’SSTORY
　　CHAPTERV
　　THEMAKINGOFTHELEAGUE
　　CHAPTERVI
　　BLACKROCKRELIGION
　　CHAPTERVII
　　THEFIRSTBLACKROCKCOMMUNION
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　THEBREAKINGOFTHELEAGUE
　　CHAPTERIX
　　THELEAGUE’SREVENGE
　　CHAPTERX
　　WHATCAMETOSLAVIN
　　CHAPTERXI
　　THETWOCALLS
　　CHAPTERXII
　　LOVEISNOTALL
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　HOWNELSONCAMEHOME
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　GRAEME’SNEWBIRTH
　　CHAPTERXV
　　COMINGTOTHEIROWN
　　CHAPTERI
　　CHRISTMASEVEINALUMBERCAMP
　　ItwasduetoamysteriousdispensationofProvidence，andagooddealtoLeslieGraeme，thatIfoundmyselfintheheartoftheSelkirksformyChristmasEveastheyear1882wasdying.IthadbeenmyplantospendmyChristmasfarawayinToronto，withsuchBohemianandbooncompanionsascouldbefoundinthatcosmopolitanandkindlycity.ButLeslieGraemechangedallthat，for，discoveringmeinthevillageofBlackRock，withmytrapsallpacked，waitingforthestagetostartfortheLanding，thirtymilesaway，heboredownuponmewithresistlessforce，andIfoundmyselfrecoveringfrommysurpriseonlyafterwehadgoneinhislumbersleighsomesixmilesonourwaytohiscampupinthemountains.Iwassurprisedandmuchdelighted，thoughIwouldnotallowhimtothinkso，tofindthathisold—timepowerovermewasstillthere.Hecouldalwaysintheold’Varsitydays——dear，wilddays——makemedowhatheliked.Hewassohandsomeandsoreckless，brilliantinhisclass—work，andtheprinceofhalf—backsontheRugbyfield，andwithsuchpoweroffascination，aswould’extracttheheartoutofawheelbarrow，’asBarneyLundyusedtosay.AndthusitwasthatIfoundmyselfjustthreeweekslater——I
　　wastohavespenttwoorthreedays，——ontheafternoonofthe24thofDecember，standinginGraeme’sLumberCampNo.2，wonderingatmyself.ButIdidnotregretmychangedplans，forinthosethreeweeksIhadraidedacinnamonbear’sdenandhadwakenedupagrizzly——ButIshallletthegrizzlyfinishthetale;heprobablyseesmorehumourinitthanI.
　　Thecampstoodinalittleclearing，andconsistedofagroupofthreelong，lowshantieswithsmallershacksnearthem，allbuiltofheavy，unhewnlogs，withdoorandwindowineach.Thegrubcamp，withcook—shedattached，stoodinthemiddleoftheclearing;
　　atalittledistancewasthesleeping—campwiththeofficebuiltagainstit，andaboutahundredyardsawayontheothersideoftheclearingstoodthestables，andnearthemthesmiddy.Themountainsrosegrandlyoneveryside，throwinguptheirgreatpeaksintothesky.Theclearinginwhichthecampstoodwashewnoutofadensepineforestthatfilledthevalleyandclimbedhalfwayupthemountain—sides，andthenfrayedoutinscatteredandstuntedtrees.
　　ItwasoneofthosewonderfulCanadianwinterdays，bright，andwithatouchofsharpnessintheairthatdidnotchill，butwarmedthebloodlikedraughtsofwine.Themenwereupinthewoods，andtheshrillscreamofthebluejayflashingacrosstheopen，theimpudentchatteroftheredsquirrelfromthetopofthegrubcamp，andthepertchirpofthewhisky—jack，hoppingaboutontherubbish—heap，withthelong，lonecryofthewolffardownthevalley，onlymadethesilencefeltthemore.
　　AsIstooddrinkinginwithallmysoulthegloriousbeautyandthesilenceofmountainandforest，withtheChristmasfeelingstealingintome，Graemecameoutfromhisoffice，and，catchingsightofme，calledout，’GloriousChristmasweather，oldchap！’Andthen，comingnearer，’Mustyougoto—morrow？’
　　’Ifearso，’Ireplied，knowingwellthattheChristmasfeelingwasonhimtoo.
　　’IwishIweregoingwithyou，’hesaidquietly.
　　Iturnedeagerlytopersuadehim，butatthelookofsufferinginhisfacethewordsdiedatmylips，forwebothwerethinkingoftheawfulnightofhorrorwhenallhisbright，brilliantlifecrasheddownabouthiminblackruinandshame.Icouldonlythrowmyarmoverhisshoulderandstandsilentbesidehim.Asuddenjingleofbellsrousedhim，and，givinghimselfalittleshake，heexclaimed，’Therearetheboyscominghome.’
　　Soonthecampwasfilledwithmentalking，laughing，chaffing，likelight—heartedboys.
　　’Theyarealittlewildto—night，’saidGraeme;’andtomorrowthey’llpaintBlackRockred.’
　　Beforemanyminuteshadgone，thelastteamsterwas’washedup，’
　　andallwerestandingaboutwaitingimpatientlyforthecook’ssignal——thesupperto—nightwastobe’somethingofafeed’——whenthesoundofbellsdrewtheirattentiontoalightsleighdrawnbyabuckskinbronchocomingdownthehillsideatagreatpace.
　　’Thepreacher，I’llbet，byhisdriving，’saidoneofthemen.
　　’Bedad，andit’shimhasthefoinenoseforturkey！’saidBlaney，agood—natured，jovialIrishman.
　　’Yes，orforpay—day，morelike，’saidKeefe，ablack—browed，villainousfellow—countrymanofBlaney’s，and，strangetosay，hisgreatfriend.
　　BigSandyM’Naughton，aCanadianHighlanderfromGlengarry，roseupinwrath.’BillKeefe，’saidhe，withdeliberateemphasis，’you’lljustkeepyourdirtytongueofftheminister;andasforyourpay，it’slittleheseesofit，oranyoneelse，exceptMikeSlavin，whenyou’retoodrytowaitforsomeonetotreatyou，orperhapsFatherRyan，whenthefearofhell—fireisontoyou.’
　　ThemenstoodamazedatSandy’ssuddenangerandlengthofspeech.
　　’Bon;dat’sgoodforyou，mybullyboy，’saidBaptiste，awirylittleFrench—Canadian，Sandy’sswornallyanddevotedadmirereversincethedaywhenthebigScotsman，undergreatprovocation，hadknockedhimcleanoffthedumpintotheriverandthenjumpedinforhim.
　　ItwasnottillafterwardsIlearnedthecauseofSandy’ssuddenwrathwhichurgedhimtosuchunwontedlengthofspeech.ItwasnotsimplythatthePresbyterianbloodcarriedwithitreverencefortheministerandcontemptforPapistsandFenians，butthathehadavividremembranceofhow，onlyamonthago，theministerhadgothimoutofMikeSlavin’ssaloonandouttheclutchesofKeefeandSlavinandtheirgangofbloodsuckers.
　　Keefestartedupwithacurse.BaptistesprangtoSandy’sside，slappedhimontheback，andcalledout，’Youkeelhim，I’llhit（eat）himup，me.’
　　Itlookedasiftheremightbeafight，whenaharshvoicesaidinalow，savagetone，’Stopyourrow，youblankfools;settleit，ifyouwantto，somewhereelse.’Iturned，andwasamazedtoseeoldmanNelson，whowasveryseldommovedtospeech.
　　Therewasalookofscornonhishard，iron—greyface，andofsuchsettledfiercenessasmademequitebelievethetalesIhadheardofhisdeadlyfightsintheminesatthecoast.Beforeanyreplycouldbemade，theministerdroveupandcalledoutinacheeryvoice，’MerryChristmas，boys！Hello，Sandy！Commentcava，Baptiste？Howdoyoudo，Mr.Graeme？’
　　’Firstrate.Letmeintroducemyfriend，Mr.Connor，sometimemedicalstudent，nowartist，hunter，andtrampatlarge，butnotabadsort.’
　　’Amantobeenvied，’saidtheminister，smiling.’IamgladtoknowanyfriendofMr.Graeme’s.’
　　IlikedMr.Craigfromthefirst.Hehadgoodeyesthatlookedstraightoutatyou，aclean—cut，strongfacewellsetonhisshoulders，andaltogetheranupstanding，manlybearing.HeinsistedongoingwithSandytothestablestoseeDandy，hisbroncho，putup.
　　’Decentfellow，’saidGraeme;’butthoughheisgoodenoughtohisbroncho，itisSandythat’sinhismindnow.’
　　’Doeshecomeoutoften？Imean，areyoupartofhisparish，sotospeak？’
　　’Ihavenodoubthethinksso;andI’mblowedifhedoesn’tmakethePresbyteriansofusthinksotoo.’Andheaddedafterapause，’Adandylotofparishionersweareforanyman.There’sSandy，now，hewouldknockKeefe’sheadoffasakindofreligiousexercise;butto—morrowKeefewillbesober，andSandywillbedrunkasalord，andthedrunkerheisthebetterPresbyterianhe’llbe;tothepreacher’sdisgust.’Thenafteranotherpauseheaddedbitterly，’ButitisnotformetothrowrocksatSandy;Iamnotthesamekindoffool，butIamafoolofseveralothersorts.’
　　Thenthecookcameoutandbeatatattooonthebottomofadish—
　　pan.Baptisteansweredwithayell：butthoughkeenlyhungry，nomanwoulddemeanhimselftodootherthanwalkwithapparentreluctancetohisplaceatthetable.Atthefurtherendofthecampwasabigfireplace，andfromthedoortothefireplaceextendedthelongboardtables，coveredwithplattersofturkeynottooscientificallycarved，dishesofpotatoes，bowlsofapplesauce，platesofbutter，pies，andsmallerdishesdistributedatregularintervals.Twolanternshangingfromtheroof，andarowofcandlesstuckintothewalloneithersidebymeansofslitsticks，castadim，weirdlightoverthescene.
　　Therewasamoment’ssilence，andatanodfromGraemeMr.Craigroseandsaid，’Idon’tknowhowyoufeelaboutit，men，buttomethislooksgoodenoughtobethankfulfor.’
　　’Fireahead，sir，’calledoutavoicequiterespectfully，andtheministerbenthisheadandsaid——
　　’ForChristtheLordwhocametosaveus，foralltheloveandgoodnesswehaveknown，andfortheseThygiftstousthisChristmasnight，ourFather，makeusthankful.Amen.’
　　’Bon，dat’sfussrate，’saidBaptiste.’Seemslakdat’smakemehit（eat）morebetterforsure，’andthennowordwasspokenforquarterofanhour.Theoccasionwasfartoosolemnandmomentstoopreciousforanythingsoemptyaswords.Butwhenthewhitepilesofbreadandthebrownpilesofturkeyhadforasecondtimevanished，andafterthelastpiehaddisappeared，therecameapauseandhushofexpectancy，whereuponthecookandcookee，eachbearingaloftahuge，blazingpudding，cameforth.
　　’Hooray！’yelledBlaney，’upwidyez！’andgrabbingthecookbytheshouldersfrombehind，hefacedhimabout.
　　Mr.Craigwasthefirsttorespond，andseizingthecookeeinthesameway，calledout，’Squad，fallin！quickmarch！’Inamomenteverymanwasintheprocession.
　　’Strikeup，Batchees，yelittleangel！’shoutedBlaney，theappellationaconcessiontotheminister’spresence;andawaywentBaptisteinarollickingFrenchsongwiththeEnglishchorus——
　　’Thenblow，yewinds，inthemorning，Blow，yewinds，ayoh！
　　Blow，yewinds，inthemorning，Blow，blow，blow.’
　　Andateach’blow’everybootcamedownwithathumpontheplankfloorthatshookthesolidroof.Afterthesecondround，Mr.
　　Craigjumpeduponthebench，andcalledout——
　　’ThreecheersforBillythecook！’
　　InthesilencefollowingthecheersBaptistewasheardtosay，’Bon！dat’smakmefeellakhitdatpuddin’allhupmesef，me.’
　　’Heartillthelittlebaste！’saidBlaneyindisgust.
　　’Batchees，’remonstratedSandygravely，’ye’vemorestomachthanmanners.’
　　’Fusure！butdemorestomachdat’smorebetterfordispuddin’，’
　　repliedthelittleFrenchmancheerfully.
　　Afteratimethetableswereclearedandpushedbacktothewall，andpipeswereproduced.Inallattitudessuggestiveofcomfortthemendisposedthemselvesinawidecircleaboutthefire，whichnowroaredandcrackledupthegreatwoodenchimneyhangingfromtheroof.Thelumberman’shourofblisshadarrived.EvenoldmanNelsonlookedashadelessmelancholythanusualashesatalone，wellawayfromthefire，smokingsteadilyandsilently.Whenthesecondpipeswerewella—going，oneofthementookdownaviolinfromthewallandhandedittoLachlanCampbell.ThereweretwobrothersCampbelljustoutfromArgyll，typicalHighlanders：
　　Lachlan，dark，silent，melancholy，withthefaceofamystic，andAngus，red—haired，quick，impulsive，anddevotedtohisbrother，adevotionhethoughtpropertocoverunderbiting，sarcasticspeech.
　　Lachlan，aftermuchprotestation，interspersedwithgibesfromhisbrother，tooktheviolin，and，inresponsetothecallfromallsides，struckup’LordMacdonald’sReel.’Inamomentthefloorwasfilledwithdancers，whoopingandcrackingtheirfingersinthewildestmanner.ThenBaptistedidthe’RedRiverJig，’amostintricateanddifficultseriesofsteps，themenkeepingtimetothemusicwithhandsandfeet.
　　Whenthejigwasfinished，Sandycalledfor’LochaberNoMore’;butCampbellsaid，’No，no！Icannotplaythatto—night.Mr.Craigwillplay.’
　　Craigtooktheviolin，andatthefirstnoteIknewhewasnoordinaryplayer.Ididnotrecognisethemusic，butitwassoftandthrilling，andgotinbytheheart，tilleveryonewasthinkinghistenderestandsaddestthoughts.
　　Afterhehadplayedtwoorthreeexquisitebits，hegaveCampbellhisviolin，saying，’Now，"Lochaber，"Lachlan.’
　　WithoutawordLachlanbegan，not’Lochaber’——hewasnotreadyforthatyet——but’TheFlowerso’theForest，’andfromthatwanderedthrough’AuldRobinGray’and’TheLando’theLeal，’andsogotatlasttothatmostsoul—subduingofScottishlaments，’LochaberNoMore.’Atthefirststrain，hisbrother，whohadthrownhimselfonsomeblanketsbehindthefire，turnedoveronhisface，feigningsleep.SandyM’Naughtontookhispipeoutofhismouth，andsatupstraightandstiff，staringintovacancy，andGraeme，beyondthefire，drewashort，sharpbreath.Wehadoftensat，GraemeandI，inourstudent—days，inthedrawing—roomathome，listeningtohisfatherwailingout’Lochaber’uponthepipes，andIwellknewthattheawfulminorstrainswerenoweatingtheirwayintohissoul.
　　OverandoveragaintheHighlanderplayedhislament.Hehadlongsinceforgottenus，andwasseeingvisionsofthehillsandlochsandglensofhisfar—awaynativeland，andmakingus，too，seestrangethingsoutofthedimpast.IglancedatoldmanNelson，andwasstartledattheeager，almostpiteous，lookinhiseyes，andIwishedCampbellwouldstop.Mr.Craigcaughtmyeye，and，steppingovertoCampbell，heldouthishandfortheviolin.
　　LingeringlyandlovinglytheHighlanderdrewoutthelaststrain，andsilentlygavetheministerhisinstrument.
　　Withoutamoment’spause，andwhilethespellof’Lochaber’wasstilluponus，theminister，withexquisiteskill，fellintotherefrainofthatsimpleandbeautifulcamp—meetinghymn，’TheSweetByandBy.’Afterplayingtheversethroughonce，hesangsoftlytherefrain.Afterthefirstverse，themenjoinedinthechorus;
　　atfirsttimidly，butbythetimethethirdversewasreachedtheywereshoutingwiththroatsfullopen，’Weshallmeetonthatbeautifulshore.’WhenIlookedatNelsontheeagerlighthadgoneoutofhiseyes，andinitsplacewaskindofdeterminedhopelessness，asifinthisnewmusichehadnopart.
　　Afterthevoiceshadceased，Mr.Craigplayedagaintherefrain，moreandmoresoftlyandslowly;thenlayingtheviolinonCampbell’sknees，hedrewfromhispockethislittleBible，andsaid——
　　’Men，withMr.Graeme’spermission，IwanttoreadyousomethingthisChristmasEve.Youwillallhavehearditbefore，butyouwilllikeitnonethelessforthat.’
　　Hisvoicewassoft，butclearandpenetrating，ashereadtheeternalstoryoftheangelsandtheshepherdsandtheBabe.Andasheread，aslightmotionofthehandoraglanceofaneyemadeussee，ashewasseeing，thatwholeradiantdrama.Thewonder，thetimidjoy，thetenderness，themysteryofitall，wereborneinuponuswithoverpoweringeffect.Heclosedthebook，andinthesamelow，clearvoicewentontotellushow，inhishomeyearsago，heusedtostandonChristmasEvelisteninginthrillingdelighttohismothertellinghimthestory，andhowsheusedtomakehimseetheshepherdsandhearthesheepbleatingnearby，andhowthesuddenburstofgloryusedtomakehisheartjump.
　　’Iusedtobealittleafraidoftheangels，becauseaboytoldmetheywereghosts;butmymothertoldmebetter，andIdidn’tfearthemanymore.AndtheBaby，thedearlittleBaby——weallloveababy.’Therewasaquick，drysob;itwasfromNelson.’Iusedtopeekthroughundertoseethelittleoneinthestraw，andwonderwhatthingsswaddlingclotheswere.Oh，itwasallsorealandsobeautiful！’Hepaused，andIcouldhearthemenbreathing.
　　’ButoneChristmasEve，’hewenton，inalower，sweetertone，’therewasnoonetotellmethestory，andIgrewtoforgetit，andwentawaytocollege，andlearnedtothinkthatitwasonlyachild’staleandwasnotformen.Thenbaddayscametomeandworse，andIbegantolosemygripofmyself，oflife，ofhope，ofgoodness，tilloneblackChristmas，intheslumsofafarawaycity，whenIhadgivenupall，andthedevil’sarmswereaboutme，I
　　heardthestoryagain.AndasIlistened，withabitteracheinmyheart，forIhadputitallbehindme，Isuddenlyfoundmyselfpeekingundertheshepherds’armswithachild’swonderattheBabyinthestraw.Thenitcameovermelikegreatwaves，thatHisnamewasJesus，becauseitwasHethatshouldsavemenfromtheirsins.
　　Save！Save！Thewaveskeptbeatinguponmyears，andbeforeI
　　knew，Ihadcalledout，"Oh！canHesaveme？"Itwasinalittlemissionmeetingononeofthesidestreets，andtheyseemedtobeusedtothatsortofthingthere，fornoonewassurprised;andayoungfellowleanedacrosstheaisletomeandsaid，"Why！youjustbetHecan！"HissurprisethatIshoulddoubt，hisbrightfaceandconfidenttone，gavemehopethatperhapsitmightbeso.Iheldtothathopewithallmysoul，and’——stretchinguphisarms，andwithaquickglowinhisfaceandalittlebreakinhisvoice，’Hehasn’tfailedmeyet;notonce，notonce！’
　　Hestoppedquiteshort，andIfeltagooddeallikemakingafoolofmyself，forinthosedaysIhadnotmadeupmymindaboutthesethings.Graeme，pooroldchap，wasgazingathimwithasadyearninginhisdarkeyes;bigSandywassittingverystiff，andstaringharderthaneverintothefire;Baptistewastremblingwithexcitement;Blaneywasopenlywipingthetearsaway.ButthefacethatheldmyeyeswasthatofoldmanNelson.Itwaswhite，fierce，hungry—looking，hissunkeneyesburning，hislipspartedasiftocry.
　　Theministerwenton.’Ididn’tmeantotellyouthis，men，itallcameovermewitharush;butitistrue，everyword，andnotawordwillItakeback.And，what’smore，Icantellyouthis，whatHedidformeHecandoforanyman，anditdoesn’tmakeanydifferencewhat’sbehindhim，and’——leaningslightlyforward，andwithalittlethrillofpathosvibratinginhisvoice——’Oboys，whydon’tyougiveHimachanceatyou？WithoutHimyou’llneverbethemenyouwanttobe，andyou’llnevergetthebetterofthatthat’skeepingsomeofyounowfromgoingbackhome.Youknowyou’llnevergobacktillyou’rethemenyouwanttobe.’Then，liftinguphisfaceandthrowingbackhishead，hesaid，asiftohimself，’Jesus！HeshallsaveHispeoplefromtheirsins，’andthen，’Letuspray.’
　　Graemeleanedforwardwithhisfaceinhishands;BaptisteandBlaneydroppedontheirknees;Sandy，theCampbells，andsomeothers，stoodup.OldmanNelsonheldhiseyessteadilyontheminister.
　　OnlyoncebeforehadIseenthatlookonahumanface.Ayoungfellowhadbrokenthroughtheiceontheriverathome，andastheblackwaterwasdragginghisfingersonebyonefromtheslipperyedges，therecameoverhisfacethatsamelook.Iusedtowakeupformanyanightafterinasweatofhorror，seeingthewhitefacewithitspartinglips，anditspiteous，dumbappeal，andtheblackwaterslowlysuckingitdown.
　　Nelson’sfacebroughtitallback;butduringtheprayerthefacechanged，andseemedtosettleintoresolveofsomesort，stern，almostgloomy，asofamanwithhislastchancebeforehim.
　　AftertheprayerMr.CraiginvitedthementoaChristmasdinnernextdayinBlackRock.’Andbecauseyouareanindependentlot，we’llchargeyouhalfadollarfordinnerandtheeveningshow.’
　　Thenleavingabundleofmagazinesandillustratedpapersonthetable——agodsendtothemen——hesaidgood—byeandwentout.
　　Iwastogowiththeminister，soIjumpedintothesleighfirst，andwaitedwhilehesaidgood—byetoGraeme，whohadbeenhardhitbythewholeservice，andseemedtowanttosaysomething.IheardMr.Craigsaycheerfullyandconfidently，’It’satruebill：tryHim.’
　　Sandy，whohadbeensteadyingDandywhilethatinterestingbronchowasattemptingwithgreatsuccesstobalancehimselfonhishindlegs，cametosaygood—bye.’Comeandseemefirstthing，Sandy.’
　　’Ay！Iknow;I’llseeye，Mr.Craig，’saidSandyearnestly，asDandydashedoffatafullgallopacrosstheclearingandoverthebridge，steadyingdownwhenhereachedthehill.
　　’Steady，youidiot！’
　　ThiswastoDandy，whohadtakenasuddensidespringintothedeepsnow，almostupsettingus.Amansteppedoutfromtheshadow.ItwasoldmanNelson.Hecamestraighttothesleigh，and，ignoringmypresencecompletely，said——
　　’Mr.Craig，areyoudeadsureofthis？Willitwork？’
　　’Doyoumean，’saidCraig，takinghimuppromptly，’canJesusChristsaveyoufromyoursinsandmakeamanofyou？’
　　Theoldmannodded，keepinghishungryeyesontheother’sface.
　　’Well，here’sHismessagetoyou："TheSonofManiscometoseekandtosavethatwhichwaslost."’
　　’Tome？Tome？’saidtheoldmaneagerly.
　　’Listen;this，too，isHisWord："HimthatcomethuntoMeIwillinnowisecastout."That’sforyou，forhereyouare，coming.’
　　’Youdon’tknowme，Mr.Craig.Ileftmybabyfifteenyearsagobecause——’
　　’Stop！’saidtheminister.’Don’ttellme，atleastnotto—night;
　　perhapsnever.TellHimwhoknowsitallnow，andwhoneverbetraysasecret.HaveitoutwithHim.Don’tbeafraidtotrustHim.’
　　Nelsonlookedathim，withhisfacequivering，andsaidinahuskyvoice，’Ifthisisnogood，it’shellforme.’
　　’Ifitisnogood，’repliedCraig，almoststernly，’it’shellforallofus.’
　　Theoldmanstraightenedhimselfup，lookedupatthestars，thenbackatMr.Craig，thenatme，and，drawingadeepbreath，said，’I’lltryHim.’Ashewasturningawaytheministertouchedhimonthearm，andsaidquietly，’KeepaneyeonSandyto—morrow.’
　　Nelsonnodded，andwewenton;butbeforewetookthenextturnI
　　lookedbackandsawwhatbroughtalumpintomythroat.ItwasoldmanNelsononhiskneesinthesnow，withhishandsspreadupwardtothestars，andIwonderediftherewasanyOneabovethestars，andnearerthanthestars，whocouldsee.AndthenthetreeshidhimfrommysightCHAPTERII
　　THEBLACKROCKCHRISTMAS
　　ManystrangeChristmasDayshaveIseen，butthatwildBlackRockChristmasstandsoutstrangestofall.WhileIwasrevellinginmydelicioussecondmorningsleep，justawakeenoughtoenjoyit，Mr.
　　Craigcameabruptly，announcingbreakfastandadding，’Hopeyouareingoodshape，forwehaveourworkbeforeusthisday.’
　　’Hello！’Ireplied，stillhalfasleep，andanxioustohidefromtheministerthatIwastryingtogainafewmoremomentsofsnoozingdelight，’what’sabroad？’.
　　’Thedevil，’heansweredshortly，andwithsuchemphasisthatIsatboltupright，lookinganxiouslyabout.
　　’Oh！noneedforalarm.He’snotafteryouparticularly——atleastnotto—day，’saidCraig，withashadowofasmile.’Butheisgoingaboutingoodstyle，Icantellyou.’
　　BythistimeIwasquiteawake.’Well，whatparticularstyledoesHisMajestyaffectthismorning？’
　　Hepulledoutashowbill.’Peculiarlygaudyandeffective，isitnot？’
　　Theitemsannouncedweresufficientlyattractive.The’FriscoOperaCompanyweretoproducethe’screamingfarce，’’TheGayandGiddyDude’;afterwhichtherewastobea’GrandBall，’duringwhichthe’KaliforniaFemaleKickers’weretodosomefancyfigures;thewholetobefollowedbya’bigsupper’with’twofreedrinkstoeverymanandonetothelady，’andallfortheinsignificantsumoftwodollars.
　　’Can’tyougoonebetter？’Isaid.
　　Helookedinquiringlyandalittledisgustedlyatme.
　　’Whatcanyoudoagainstfreedrinksandadance，nottospeakofthe"HighKickers"？’hegroaned.
　　’No！’hecontinued;’it’sacleanbeatforustoday.Theminersandlumbermenwillhaveintheirpocketstenthousanddollars，andeverydollarburningahole;andSlavinandhisgangwillgetmostofit.But，’headded，’youmusthavebreakfast.You’llfindatubinthekitchen;don’tbeafraidtosplash.ItisthebestI
　　havetoofferyou.’
　　Thetubsoundedinviting，andbeforemanyminuteshadpassedIwasinadelightfulglow，theeffectofcoldwaterandaroughtowel，andthatconsciousnessofvirtuethatcomestoamanwhohashadcouragetofacehiscoldbathonawintermorning.
　　Thebreakfastwaslaidwithfinetaste.Adiminutivepine—tree，inapothungroundwithwintergreen，stoodinthecentreofthetable.
　　’Well，now，thislooksgood;porridge，beefsteak，potatoes，toast，andmarmalade.’
　　’Ihopeyouwillenjoyitall.’
　　Therewasnotmuchtalkoverourmeal.Mr.Craigwasevidentlypreoccupied，andasblueashispolitenesswouldallowhim.
　　Slavin’svictoryweigheduponhisspirits.Finallyheburstout，’Lookhere！Ican’t，Iwon’tstandit;somethingmustbedone.
　　LastChristmasthistownwasfortwoweeks，asoneoftheminerssaid，"alittlesuburbofhell."Itwassomethingtooawful.Andattheendofitalloneyoungfellowwasfounddeadinhisshack，andtwentyormorecrawledbacktothecamps，leavingtheirthreemonths’paywithSlavinandhissuckers.
　　’Iwon’tstandit，Isay.’Heturnedfiercelyonme.’What’stobedone？’
　　Thisrathertookmeaback，forIhadtroubledmyselfwithnothingofthissortinmylifebefore，beingfullyoccupiedinkeepingmyselfoutofdifficulty，andallowingothersthesameprivilege.
　　SoIventuredtheconsolationthathehaddonehispart，andthataspreemoreorlesswouldnotmakemuchdifferencetothesemen.
　　ButthenextmomentIwishedIhadbeenslowerinspeech，forheswiftlyfacedme，andhiswordscamelikeatorrent.
　　’Godforgiveyouthatheartlessword！Doyouknow——？Butno;youdon’tknowwhatyouaresaying.Youdon’tknowthatthesemenhavebeenclamberingfordearlifeoutofafearfulpitforthreemonthspast，anddoinggoodclimbingtoo，poorchaps.Youdon’tthinkthatsomeofthemhavewives，mostofthemmothersandsisters，intheeastoracrossthesea，forwhosesaketheyareslavinghere;
　　theminershopingtosaveenoughtobringtheirfamiliestothishomelessplace，theresttomakeenoughtogobackwithcredit.
　　Why，there’sNixon，miner，splendidchap;hasbeenherefortwoyears，anddrawingthehighestpay.Twicehehasbeeninsightofhisheaven，forhecan’tspeakofhiswifeandbabieswithoutbreakingup，andtwicethatslicksonofthedevil——that’sScripture，mindyou——Slavin，gothim，and"rolled"him，astheboyssay.Hewentbacktotheminesbrokeninbodyandinheart.Hesaysthisishisthirdandlastchance.IfSlavingetshim，hiswifeandbabieswillneverseehimonearthorinheaven.ThereisSandy，too，andtherest.And，’headded，inalowertone，andwiththecuriouslittlethrillofpathosinhisvoice，’thisisthedaytheSaviourcametotheworld.’Hepaused，andthenwithalittlesadsmile，’ButIdon’twanttoabuseyou.’
　　’Do，Ienjoyit，I’mabeast，aselfishbeast’;forsomehowhisintense，blazingearnestnessmademefeeluncomfortablysmall.
　　’Whathavewetooffer？’Idemanded.
　　’WaittillIhavegotthesethingsclearedaway，andmyhousekeepingdone.’
　　Ipressedmyservicesuponhim，somewhatfeebly，Iown，forIcan’tbeardishwater;butherejectedmyoffer.
　　’Idon’tliketrustingmychinatothehandsofatender—foot.’
　　’Quiteright，thoughyourchinawouldproveanexcellentmeansofdefenceatlongrange.’Itwasdelf，aquarterofaninchthick.
　　SoIsmokedwhilehewashedup，swept，dusted，andarrangedtheroom.
　　Aftertheroomwasorderedtohistaste，weproceededtoholdcouncil.Hecouldofferdinner，magiclantern，music.’Wecanfillintimefortwohours，but，’headdedgloomily，’wecan’tbeatthedanceandthe"HighKickers."’
　　’Haveyounothingneworstartling？’
　　Heshookhishead.
　　’Nokindofshow？Dogshow？Snakecharmer？’
　　’Slavinhasamonopolyofthesnakes.’
　　Thenheaddedhesitatingly，’TherewasanoldPunch—and—Judychapherelastyear，buthedied.Whiskyagain.’
　　’Whathappenedtohisshow？’
　　’TheBlackRockHotelmantookitforboardandwhiskybill.Hehasitstill，Isuppose.’
　　Ididnotmuchrelishthebusiness;butIhatedtoseehimbeaten，soIventured，’IhaverunaPunchandJudyinanamateurwayatthe’Varsity.’
　　Hesprangtohisfeetwithayell.
　　’Youhave！youmeantosayit？We’vegotthem！We’vebeatenthem！’Hehadanextraordinarywayoftakingyourhelpforgranted.’Theminerchaps，mostlyEnglishandWelsh，wentmadoverthepooroldshowman，andmadehimsowealthythatinsheergratitudehedrankhimselftodeath.’
　　HewalkedupanddowninhighexcitementandinsuchevidentdelightthatIfeltpledgedtomybesteffort.
　　’Well，’Isaid，’firsttheposter.Wemustbeattheminthat.’
　　Hebroughtmelargesheetsofbrownpaper，andaftertwohours’
　　hardworkIhadhalfadozenpictorialshowbillsdoneingorgeouscoloursandstrikingdesigns.Theyweregood，ifIdosayitmyself.
　　Theturkey，themagiclantern，thePunchandJudyshowwereallthere，thelastwithacrowdbeforeitingapingdelight.Afewexplanatorywordswerethrownin，emphasisingthehighlyartisticnatureofthePunchandJudyentertainment.
　　Craigwasdelighted，andproceededtoperfecthisplans.Hehadsomehalfadozenyoungmen，fouryoungladies，andeightortenmatrons，uponwhomhecoulddependforhelp.TheseheorganisedintoavigilancecommitteechargedwiththedutyofpreventingminersandlumbermenfromgettingawaytoSlavin’s.’Thecriticalmomentswillbeimmediatelybeforeandafterdinner，andthenagainaftertheshowisover，’heexplained.’ThefirsttwocrisesmustbelefttothecareofPunchandJudy，andasforthelast，Iamnotyetsurewhatshallbedone’;butIsawhehadsomethinginhishead，forheadded，’IshallseeMrs.Mavor.’
　　’WhoisMrs.Mavor？’Iasked.Buthemadenoreply.Hewasabornfighter，andheputthefightingspiritintousall.Wewereboundtowin.
　　Thesportsweretobeginattwoo’clock.Bylunch—timeeverythingwasinreadiness.AfterlunchIwashavingaquietsmokeinCraig’sshackwheninherushed，saying——
　　’Thebattlewillbelostbeforeitisfought.IfweloseQuatreBras，weshallnevergettoWaterloo.’
　　’What’sup？’
　　’Slavin，justnow.Theminersarecomingin，andhewillhavethemintowinhalfanhour.’
　　Helookedatmeappealingly.Iknewwhathewanted.
　　’Allright;IsupposeImust，butitisanawfulborethatamancan’thaveaquietsmoke.’
　　’You’renothalfabadfellow，’hereplied，smiling.’Ishallgettheladiestofurnishcoffeeinsidethebooth.YoufurnishthemintellectualnourishmentinfrontwithdearoldPunchandJudy.’
　　Hesentaboywithabellroundthevillageannouncing，’Punch，andJudyinfrontoftheChristmasboothbesidethechurch’;andforthree—quartersofanhourIshriekedandsweatedinthatawfullittlepen.Butitwasalmostworthittoheartheshoutsofapprovalandlaughterthatgreetedmyperformance.Itwascoldworkstandingabout，sothatthecrowdwasquitereadytorespondwhenPunch，afterbeingdulyhanged，cameforwardandinvitedallintotheboothforthehotcoffeewhichJudyhadordered.
　　Intheytrooped，andQuatreBraswaswon.
　　NosoonerweretheminerssafelyengagedwiththeircoffeethanI
　　heardagreatnoiseofbellsandofmenshouting;andonreachingthestreetIsawthatthemenfromthelumbercampwerecomingin.
　　Twoimmensesleighs，decoratedwithribbonsandspruceboughs，eachdrawnbyafour—horseteamgailyadorned，filledwithsomefiftymen，singingandshoutingwithalltheirmight，werecomingdownthehillroadatfullgallop.Roundthecornertheyswung，dashedatfullspeedacrossthebridgeanddownthestreet，andpulledupaftertheyhadmadethecircuitofablock，tothegreatadmirationoftheonlookers.AmongothersSlavinsaunteredupgood—naturedly，makinghimselfagreeabletoSandyandthosewhowerehelpingtounhitchhisteam.
　　’Oh，youneednottaketroublewithmeormyteam，MikeSlavin.
　　Batcheesandmeandtheboyscanlookafterthemfine，’saidSandycoolly.
　　ThisrejectingofhospitalitywasperfectlyunderstoodbySlavinandbyall.
　　’Dat’stoobad，heh？’saidBaptistewickedly;’and，Sandy，he’sgotgoodmoneyonhispocketforsure，too.’Theboyslaughed，andSlavin，joiningin，turnedawaywithKeeleandBlaney;butbythelookinhiseyeIknewhewasplaying’Br’erRabbit，’andlyinglow.
　　Mr.Craigjustthencameup，’Hello，boys！toolateforPunchandJudy，butjustintimeforhotcoffeeanddoughnuts.’
　　’Bon;dat’sfussrate，’saidBaptisteheartily;’whereyoukeephim？’
　　’Upinthetentnextthechurchthere.Theminersareallin.’
　　’Ah，datso？Dat’sbadnewsfortheshantymen，heh，Sandy？’saidthelittleFrenchmandolefully.
　　’Therewasaclothes—basketfullofdoughnutsandaboilerofcoffeeleftasIpassedjustnow，’saidCraigencouragingly.
　　’Allons，mesgarcons;vite！neversaykeel！’criedBaptisteexcitedly，strippingofftheharness.
　　ButSandywouldnotleavethehorsestilltheywerecarefullyrubbeddown，blanketed，andfed，forhewasenteredforthefour—
　　horseraceanditbehovedhimtodohisbesttowin.Besides，hescornedtohurryhimselfforanythingsounimportantaseating;
　　thatheconsideredhardlyworthyevenofBaptiste.Mr.Craigmanagedtogetawordwithhimbeforehewentoff，andIsawSandysolemnlyandemphaticallyshakehishead，saying，’Ah！we’llbeathimthisday，’andIgatheredthathewasaddedtothevigilancecommittee.
　　OldmanNelsonwasbusywithhisownteam.HeturnedslowlyatMr.
　　Craig’sgreeting，’Howisit，Nelson？’anditwaswithaverygravevoiceheanswered，’Ihardlyknow，sir;butIamnotgoneyet，thoughitseemslittletoholdto.’
　　’Allyouwantforagripiswhatyourhandcancover.Whatwouldyouhave？Andbesides，doyouknowwhyyouarenotgoneyet？’
　　Theoldmanwaited，lookingattheministergravely.
　　’BecauseHehasn’tletgoHisgripofyou.’
　　’HowdoyouknowHe’sgrippedme？’
　　’Now，lookhere，Nelson，doyouwanttoquitthisthingandgiveitallup？’
　　’No，no！Forheaven’ssake，no！Why，doyouthinkIhavelostit？’saidNelson，almostpiteously.
　　’Well，He’skeeneraboutitthanyou;andI’llbetyouhaven’tthoughtitworthwhiletothankHim.’
　　’TothankHim，’herepeated，almoststupidly，’for——’
　　’Forkeepingyouwhereyouareovernight，’saidMr.Craig，almoststernly.
　　Theoldmangazedattheminister，alightgrowinginhiseyes.
　　’You’reright.ThankGod，you’reright.’Andthenheturnedquicklyaway，andwentintothestablebehindhisteam.Itwasaminutebeforehecameout.Overhisfacetherewasatremblingjoy.
　　’CanIdoanythingforyouto—day？’heaskedhumbly.
　　’Indeedyoujustcan，’saidtheminister，takinghishandandshakingitverywarmly;andthenhetoldhimSlavin’sprogrammeandours.
　　’Sandyisallrighttillafterhisrace.Afterthatishistimeofdanger，’saidtheminister.
　　’I’llstaywithhim，sir，’saidoldNelson，inthetoneofamantakingacovenant，andimmediatelysetoffforthecoffee—tent.
　　’Herecomesanotherrecruitforyourcorps，’Isaid，pointingtoLeslieGraeme，whowascomingdownthestreetatthatmomentinhislightsleigh.
　　’Iamnotsosure.Doyouthinkyoucouldgethim？’
　　Ilaughed.’Youareagoodone.’
　　’Well，’hereplied，halfdefiantly，’isnotthisyourfighttoo？’
　　’Youmakemethinkso，thoughIamboundtosayIhardlyrecognisemyselftoday.Butheregoes，’andbeforeIknewitIwasdescribingourplanstoGraeme，growingmoreandmoreenthusiasticashesatinhissleigh，listeningwithaquizzicalsmileIdidn’tquitelike.
　　’He’sgotyoutoo，’hesaid;’Ifearedso.’
　　’Well，’Ilaughed，’perhapsso.ButIwanttolickthatmanSlavin.I’vejustseenhim，andhe’sjustwhatCraigcallshim，"aslicksonofthedevil."Don’tbeshocked;hesaysitisScripture.’
　　’Revisedversion，’saidGraemegravely，whileCraiglookedalittleabashed.
　　’Whatisassignedme，Mr.Craig？forIknowthatthismanissimplyyouragent.’
　　Irepudiatedtheidea，whileMr.Craigsaidnothing.
　　’What’smypart？’demandedGraeme.
　　’Well，’saidMr.Craighesitatingly，’ofcourseIwoulddonothingtillIhadconsultedyou;butIwantamantotakemyplaceatthesports.Iamreferee.’
　　’That’sallright，’saidGraeme，withanairofrelief;’Iexpectedsomethinghard.’
　　’AndthenIthoughtyouwouldnotmindpresidingatdinner——Iwantittogooffwell.’
　　’Didyounoticethat？’saidGraemetome.’Notabadtouch，eh？’
　　’That’snothingtothewayhetouchedme.Waitandlearn，’I
　　answered，whileCraiglookedquitedistressed.’He’lldoit，Mr.
　　Craig，neverfear，’Isaid，’andanyotherlittledutythatmayoccurtoyou.’
　　’Nowthat’stoobadofyou.ThatisallIwant，honourbright，’hereplied;adding，asheturnedaway，’youarejustintimeforacupofcoffee，Mr.Graeme.NowImustseeMrs.Mavor.’
　　’WhoisMrs.Mavor？’IdemandedofGraeme.
　　’Mrs.Mavor？Theminers’guardianangel.’
　　Weputupthehorsesandsetoffforcoffee.AsweapproachedtheboothGraemecaughtsightofthePunchandJudyshow，stoodstillinamazement，andexclaimed，’Canthedeadlive？’
　　’PunchandJudyneverdie，’Irepliedsolemnly.
　　’Buttheoldmanipulatorisdeadenough，pooroldbeggar！’
　　’Buthelefthismantle，asyousee.’
　　Helookedatmeamoment’What！doyoumean，you——？’
　　’Yes，thatisexactlywhatIdomean.’
　　’Heisgreatman，thatCraigfellow——atrulygreatman.’
　　Andthenheleanedupagainstatreeandlaughedtillthetearscame.’Isay，oldboy，don’tmindme，’hegasped，’butdoyouremembertheold’Varsityshow？’
　　’Yes，youvillain;andIrememberyourpartinit.Iwonderhowyoucan，evenatthisremotedate，laughatit.’ForIhadavividrecollectionofhow，aftera’chasteandhighlyartisticperformanceofthismediaevalplay’hadbeengivenbeforeadistinguishedTorontoaudience，thetrapdoorbywhichIhadenteredmyboxwasfastened，andIwaslefttoswelterinmycage，andforcedtolistentothesuffocatedlaughterfromthewingsandthestagewhispersof’Hello，Mr.Punch，where’sthebaby？’AndformanyadayafterIwassubjectedtoanxiousinquiriesastothelocalityandhealthof’thebaby，’andwhetheritwasabletobeout.
　　’Oh，thedearolddays！’hekeptsaying，overandover，inatonesofullofsadnessthatmyheartgrewsoreforhimandIforgavehim，asmanyatimebefore.
　　ThesportspassedoffintypicalWesternstyle.Inadditiontotheusualrunningandleapingcontests，therewasrifleandpistolshooting，inbothofwhicholdmanNelsonstoodfirst，withShaw，foremanofthemines，second.
　　Thegreateventoftheday，however，wastobethefour—horserace，forwhichthreeteamswereentered——onefromtheminesdrivenbyNixon，Craig’sfriend，acitizens’team，andSandy’s.Theracewasreallybetweentheminers’team，andthatfromthewoods，forthecitizens’team，thoughmadeupofspeedyhorses，hadnotbeendrivenmuchtogether，andknewneithertheirdrivernoreachother.
　　Intheminers’teamwerefourbays，verypowerful，atrifleheavyperhaps，butwellmatched，perfectlytrained，andperfectlyhandledbytheirdriver.Sandyhadhislongrangyroans，andforleadersapairofhalf—brokenpintobronchos.Thepintos，caughtthesummerbeforeupontheAlbertaprairies，werefleetasdeer，butwickedanduncertain.TheywereBaptiste’sspecialcareandpride.Iftheywouldonlyrunstraighttherewaslittledoubtthattheywouldcarrytheroansandthemselvestoglory;butonecouldnottellthemomenttheymightboltorkickthingstopieces.
　　Beingtheonlynon—partisaninthecrowdIwasaskedtoreferee.