THE BELLE RIVER COMMUNITY 139

carried from the burning building by a retainer. This girl had hidden a piece of cheese in her plaid as food for the child. Unfortunately it rolled out and rested at the foot of a soldier. He stuck his bayonet into it and laughed. . . . Later, the Act of Amnesty restored the rebels to their families. But the property which Donald McLaren had transferred to his wife was gone. A long lingering lawsuit, undertaken by the son, James, finally restored it to him, but by that time the estate was so deeply involved in debt that McLaren sold it, paid off the creditors, and turned his face toward the land of the setting sun. He knew Lord Selkirk, and from him he bought two hundred and sixty—six acres of land in the Brudenell district. And all around this district to—day the record of the immigrants’ efforts is seen in the prosperous homes and well-tilled farms of their descendants.

I made my way through the tangled undergrowth and sat on the tall cliff in meditative solitude. But not for long. From the shore below came voices.

“This is where I want to be buried. When I die, Barbara, bring me back here . .

“You might die 1n British Columbia, Mother. Do you think I’m going to cart your body all the way back here?”

“ Barbara!”

”VVell, if you turn into an angel you can flap your wings and fly back. "

Somehow, I could not imagine that heavy woman with a perfectly good set of wings, and a golden harp, flying back to the Hill of the Fairies.

“Heh, heh, heh!”

I laughed before I realized it. And, as the heavy