It was wonderful
with what serenity he bore this unexpected affliction.
Buried in the obscurity of those woods, we knew nothing, heard
nothing of the political state of the country, and were little aware
of the revolution which was about to work a great change for us and
for Canada.
The weather continued remarkably mild. The first great snow, which
for years had ordinarily fallen between the 10th and 15th of
November, still kept off. November passed on, and as all our
firewood had to be chopped by old Jenny during the lameness of my
husband, I was truly grateful to God for the continued mildness of
the weather.
On the 4th of December - that great day of the outbreak - Moodie was
determined to take advantage of the open state of the lake to carry
a large grist up to Y - -'s mill. I urged upon him the danger of a
man attempting to manage a canoe in rapid water, who was unable to
stand without crutches; but Moodie saw that the children would need
bread, and he was anxious to make the experiment.
Finding that I could not induce him to give up the journey, I
determined to go with him.
