Dec 10 Angus came down for me to butcher an ox with him. We went in to put the rope on his horns, and my hand got caught when the ox bolted. When the ox got caught in a pile of lumber, I wound the rope off my right hand— my fingers all cut to the bone, but did not bleed a drop. They thought I'd be laid up for two weeks, but its not worth writing about any more.. Dec 31 Uncle Donald left here about noon today. He expects to go to California with two of his before long. 1888 Jan 09 Went to Peardons, and got a lot containing about 18 loads of wood at $1.50.1 made a crank for the grindstone. Feb 12 We took the sleigh and all went to Angus's where Father christened his [Angus's] child, Fanny Ann . [ Ewen Lamont was an Elder in the Church, and authorized to perform baptisms] Feb 14 Got a letter from Effie Ann with a tin-type which looks well, but not as well as the photograph. She has promised to be mine when I state the time, or which ever time I state. What better could I wish-------.Wrote a letter to E.A. Spoke to Father about my engagement to her, and he approved of it. All went better in this matter than I could hope or expect. I am thankful. Mar 22 Alex Bruce came down with Angus's mare, and we set the horsepower to the saw,and commenced sawing. The wind blew so hard, that it took us some time to make the belt stay. We sawed a few cuts, and decided to stop, and as I was passing the saw with a stick in my hand, my left hand got on the saw someway, I cannot explain, and it took the little finger bone, leaving most of the flesh, and ran about an inch between the little finger and the next. I went in and cut the flesh off with a razor, wrapped it in varnish and flour, and started to Dr. Martins . Alex Bruce overtook me with the mare about R. MacLeod 's woods, I mounted above the Manse, and rode up to the Dr.'s calling in to D. Stewart 's for more rags as my hand was getting cold. The Doctor insisted on my taking chloroform, and after refusing some time, I yielded. So I laid on my back, on the floor, with a towel spread over my face, and as —drop—drop—drop— went the chloroform, —wave—wave—wave— came over my nerves. The last thing I remember is saying "I'm gone good."— When I woke, he was done, and the woman, laughingly, was saying, "We found out your girlfriend all right. You were calling her Effie Ann , and you said "I'll never leave her". We thought we would get some more history, but you were very quiet". I did not vomit as most do, but felt squamish. I was an hour asleep and about two hours before I could 0% .