“That is a sufficient explanation,” observed Mr Skinner, with a sigh. “We must pray that like the prodigal son he may find that he has husks alone to eat, and be brought back to the loving Father, who, with open arms, is ever ready to receive those who, having made that important discovery, return to Him.”
The two Christian friends knelt down and offered up their petitions that the wanderer might be found out and restored.
Few people in the settlement were more busy than Donald Morrison. Besides building his log house, at which he worked with his own hands, and superintending the clearing of the ground, he had his official duties to attend to, which he in no way neglected; and, as the settlement increased, they became more onerous than at first. “If David were with me he would find plenty to do,” he said, over and over again. “I wish that he were coming, and I have no doubt Mr Todd would obtain for him a situation under me.”
When Donald wrote home he had begged his brother and sister not to wait till they could write and announce their intended coming, but if they could persuade Janet to accompany them, to set off immediately. As each party of settlers arrived he looked out eagerly, hoping to find those so dear to him among them. He was destined frequently to be disappointed.
At last, one evening he was seated in his new house, now nearly completed, busily employed on some plans which he had taken home from Mr Todd’s office, when he was aroused by a knock at the door. On opening it he saw standing before him a tall slight young man, whom he knew by his bonnet and tartan coat to be Scotch, “Does one Donald Morrison live here?” asked the stranger, gazing eagerly at his face. The moment he spoke Donald knew the voice; it was David’s, and the brothers’ hands were clasped together.
“I should not have known you,” exclaimed David, scanning Donald’s sunburnt countenance, and sturdy strongly built figure.
“Nor I you, till I heard you speak,” answered Donald. “But have you not brought Margaret and Janet?”
“I am sorry to say no. Janet would not venture across the salt ocean, and Margaret would not quit her. Janet, indeed, did her utmost to dissuade me from coming to this land of impenetrable forests, fierce red men, savage wolves, roaring cataracts, and numberless other dangers, such as she believes it is, and her dread of exposing Margaret to them, I suspect, made her more determined to stay at home than had she herself alone been asked to come, as for our sakes I believe she would have risked all could she have been satisfied that Margaret would have been in safety. Finding all my arguments useless, I set off as you wished me.”
“She is a good faithful creature, and we must still hope to overcome her fears for our dear sister’s safety,” said Donald. “However, I am thankful you have come, and I am sure that you will not be disappointed.”
Donald lost no time in placing an abundant supply of bachelor’s fare, prepared by his own hands, on the table. As may be supposed, the brothers sat up the greater part of the night, talking over the past as well as their future prospects.