This he positively refused to do; and when we remonstrated
with him on the apparent imbecility of this resolution, he declared
that he would not risk his life, in crossing the Atlantic twice for
twenty times that sum. What strange inconsistency was this, in a
being who had three times attempted to take away that which he
dreaded so much to lose accidentally!
I was much amused with an account which he gave me, in his quaint
way, of an excursion he went upon with a botanist, to collect
specimens of the plants and flowers of Upper Canada.
"It was a fine spring day, some ten years ago, and I was yoking my
oxen to drag in some oats I had just sown, when a little, fat,
punchy man, with a broad, red, good-natured face, and carrying a
small black leathern wallet across his shoulder, called to me over
the fence, and asked me if my name was Brian B - -? I said, 'Yes;
what of that?'
"'Only you are the man I want to see. They tell me that you are
better acquainted with the woods than any person in these parts;
and I will pay you anything in reason if you will be my guide for
a few days.'
"'Where do you want to go?' said I.
"'Nowhere in particular,' says he. 'I want to go here and there, in
all directions, to collect plants and flowers.'
"That is still-hunting with a vengeance, thought I. 'To-day I must
drag in my oats. If to-morrow will suit, we will be off.'
"'And your charge?' said he. 'I like to be certain of that.'
"'A dollar a day. My time and labour upon my farm, at this busy
season, is worth more than that.'
"'True,' said he. 'Well, I'll give you what you ask. At what time
will you be ready to start?'
"'By daybreak, if you wish it.'
"Away he went; and by daylight next morning he was at my door,
mounted upon a stout French pony. 'What are you going to do with
that beast?' said I. 'Horses are of no use on the road that you
and I are to travel. You had better leave him in my stable.'
"'I want him to carry my traps,' said he; 'it may be some days that
we shall be absent.'
"I assured him that he must be his own beast of burthen, and carry
his axe, and blanket, and wallet of food upon his own back.
