ability. The Quaker took from a desk a sheet of paper; pointing to the
figures written on it he said, 'I do not deal in land, believing it not
to be agreeable with the teaching of the Gospel to make merchandize of
what God intended for all his children. I do not consider it right to
buy land you are not able or do not mean to make use of, but secure with
a view to sell at an advanced price to the man who will cultivate it.
These 400 acres were transferred to me for a just debt which the man
could not otherwise pay. On this line is the amount of that debt, here
are the legal charges paid by me in the transaction, and here is
interest. The whole totals $472, which is the price.' The master was
surprised, for from what he had heard of the prices asked for land so
close to Toronto at least double would have been sought. 'My friends and
I are able to pay that sum to you and we take the land.' The Quaker
moved not a muscle. Taking up a quill he wrote out a promise of sale,
and was given a bank of Scotland note for ten pounds as surety.
Inquiring what steps he would next take, the master was advised to
secure the services of Jabez for a month at least. 'Thee are ignorant
of bush-farming and need an instructor, otherwise loss will befall thee
and much trouble.' Arranging for the final transfer of the land, the
master sought out Jabez. He and two brothers carried on a cartage
business. Jabez said there would not be more calls than his brothers
could attend to until August, and he would go if he was willing to pay
two dollars a day for himself and an ox-team. 'That is settled,' replied
the master. 'Now what is to be done first?' 'To cut out a sledge-road
across your lot, so that you may get your freight in.' To help he was to
hire a man, and it was arranged to start at daylight.

Next morning Jabez appeared at the door of the tavern with an ox-team,
and seated beside him in the wagon was a youth. 'This is Jim Sloot, who
can handle an axe with any man. You have that to learn. It is the axe