PREPARATIONS FOR MY SECOND MARRIAGE. -- DANGEROUS ADVENTURE. -- MY
WIFE'S NOCTURNAL VISITOR. -- WE PREPARE FOR THE RECEPTION OF OUR
UNINVITED GUEST. -- BRUIN'S UNWELCOME VISIT TO AN IRISH SHANTY. -- OUR
BEAR HUNT. -- MAJOR ELLIOTT'S DUEL WITH BRUIN. -- HIS WOUNDS AND
VICTORY.

I SPENT the spring of 1827 very pleasantly in the company of my new
friends. I used to go down to my farm every morning, and return in the
evening to a cheerful fire-side and agreeable society, which rewarded
me for the toils of the day. I had fenced in my fields, planted my
spring crops, Indian corn, and potatoes, which looked promising; and I
had my house nearly finished. I, therefore, considered it was time I
should go and reside in it, and not trespass any longer on the
hospitality of my kind and generous friends. As, however, I did not
like the thought of living the life of a hermit, and my little boy; for
whom I had sent, was weaned, and growing healthy and lovely under the
kind hospitality of my friends, required now a watchful parental care,
I proposed to, and was accepted by, my friend's eldest daughter, in
whom I found what I sought--a faithful mother for my child, and the
most devoted and affectionate wife for myself. A better woman, indeed,
never existed. For upwards of twenty-two years she shared my various
fortunes, and formed my greatest earthly blessing. A few days before my
marriage--an event to which I naturally looked forward for an increase
of happiness--an accident occurred, which might have been attended with
fatal results to myself, and actually was so to a lad who was in my
service. A kind Providence, however, watched over my life, and
delivered me from this danger.

My farm was situated on the east shore of the Otonabee river, the town
of Peterborough being on the west of that line; and there was no bridge