Part 22 (1/2)

In laying out and planning our farm, my brothers and I determined, however, not to wait for experience of our own, but just take advantage of Moncrieff's That would sustain us, as the oak sustains the ivy

[5] 'Shortly shank a curn'--speedily knit a few pairs

[6] Since then the Indians have been swept far to the south, and so hemmed in that the provinces north of their territory are as safe froland itself--G S

CHAPTER XV

WE BUILD OUR HOUSE AND LAY OUT GARDENS

About a hundred yards to the left of the buildings erected for the new colony and down near the lake, or laguna, was an elevated piece of ground about an acre in extent It was bounded on two sides by water, which would thus form for it a kind of natural protection in case of Indian invasion

It really was part and parcel of Moncrieff's clai probably it ht come in handy some day for a site on which to build, he had taken considerable pains to plant it with rows of beautiful trees, especially on the sides next the water and facing the west

My brothers and I arranged to have this, and Moncrieff ell pleased to have us so near to him A more excellent position for a house could hardly be, and we deterreat architectural beauty as possible

Having therefore laid out our farm proper, and stocked it with sheep and cattle, positioned our shepherds, and installed our labourers and general servants under the charge of a _capataz_, or working bailiff, we turned our attention to the erection of our house, or randly called it

'Of course you will cut your coat according to your cloth,' said Moncrieff, as he ca into the room we had set apart for our private study He had found us to-night with our heads all together over a huge sheet of paper on which ere planning out our house

'Oh yes,' said Donald, 'that we ald, 'we do not expect to reht poor settlers'

'That I aer house than we really want, so that e do get a bit rich we can furnish it and set up--set up--'

'Set up a carriage and pair, eh?' said Donald, as very ald, a billiard-room, Turkey carpets, woven all in one piece, a cellar of old wine, a butler in black and flunkeys in plush--is that your notion?'

Donald and I laughed, and Dugald looked cross

Moncrieff did not laugh: he had too much tact, and was far too kind-hearted to throw cold water over our young brother's ambitions and aspirations

'And what sort of a house do you propose?' he said to us

As he spoke he took a chair at Dugald's side of the table and put his arently across the boy's shoulders There was very ald loved him for it, and felt he had some one to assist his schee That would suit well for the present, I think What do you think, Murdoch?'

'I think with you,' I replied

After having heard Moncrieff speaking sobefore 'louping,' and all the rest of it, ere hardly prepared to hear him on the present occasion say boldly,

'And _I_ think with Dugald'

'Bravo, Moncrieff!' cried Dugald 'I felt sure--'