Thesewild，independentmenoftheWestwerenotatalllikethedegradedmenoftheward，fawningorsullen，whohadbeenhisformerandonlyparishioners。Ahorriblefearhadbeengrowinguponhimeversincehisfailure，asheconsideredit，withtheConvener’scongregationthenightbefore。IthelpedhimnotatalltorememberthekindlywordsofencouragementspokenbytheConvener，northesympathythatshowedinhiswife’svoiceandmanner。\"Theyfeltsorryforme，\"hegroanedaloud。Hesethisjawshard，asmenhadseenhimwhengoingintoascrimonthefootballfield。\"I’lldomybestwhatever，\"hesaidaloud，lookingbeforehimatthewavinghorizon;\"amancanonlyfail。ButsurelyIcanhelpsomepoorchapoutyonder。\"Hiseyesfollowedthewavingfoot—hilllinetilltheyrestedonthemightymassesoftheRockies。\"Ay，\"hesaidwithastart，droppingintohismother’sspeech，\"theretheyare，’thehillsfromwhencecomethmyhelp。’Surely，IdonotthinkHewouldsendmeoutheretofail。\"
Theretheylay，thatmightywrinklingofMotherEarth’soldface，huge，jaggedmassesofbaregreyrock，patchedhereandthere，andfinallycappedwithwhitewheretheypiercedtheblue。Uptotheirbaseranthelumberingfoot—hills，andstillfurtherupthegreysides，likeattackingcolumns，thedarkdaringpinesswarmedinmassedbattalions;then，whereravinesgavethemfooting，inregiments，theninoutpostpickets，andlastofallinlonelyrigidsentinels。Butfarabovetheloneliestsentinelpine，cold，white，serene，shonethepeaks。TheHighlandbloodinShock’sveinsstirredtothecallofthehills。Glancingaroundtomakesurehewasquitealone——hehadalmostneverbeenwherehecouldbequitesurethathewouldnotbeheard——Shockraisedhisvoiceinashout，again，and，expandinghislungstothefull，onceagain。Howsmallhisvoiceseemed，howpunyhisstrength，howbriefhislife，inthepresenceofthosesilent，mighty，ancientrangeswiththeirhoaryfacesandsnowyheads。Awedbytheirsolemnsilence，andbythethoughtoftheirancient，eternal，unchangingendurance，herepeatedtohimselfinalowtonethewordsoftheancientPsalm:
\"Lord，Thouhastbeenourdwelling—place，Ingenerationsall，BeforeThoueverhadstbroughtforthThemountains，greatorsmall！\"
Howexaltingarethemountainsandhowhumbling！Howlonelyandhowcomforting！Howawesomeandhowkindly！Howrelentlessandhowsympathetic！Reflectingeverymoodofman，theyaddsomewhattohisnoblerstatureanddiminishsomewhathisignoblerself。Toalltrueappealtheygivebackanswer，buttotheheartregardinginiquity，likeGod，theymakenoresponse。Theyneverobtrudethemselves，buttheysmileuponhisjoys，andinhissorrowoffersilentsympathy，andeverasGod’smessengerstheybidhimrememberthatwithalltheirmassmanismightierthanthey，thatwhentheslowmarchofthepinesshallhavetroddowntheirmight’sdust，stillwiththedewofeternalyouthfreshuponhisbrowwillhebewithGod。
ThenandthereinShock’shearttheresprangupakindlyfeelingforthemountainsthatthroughallhisvaryingexperiencesneverlefthim。Theywerealwaysthere，steadfastlywatchfulbydayliketheeyeofGod，andatnightwhilehesleptkeepingunslumberingguardlikeJehovahhimself。Alldayashedroveuptheinterminableslopesanddownagain，themountainskeptcompanywithhim，asfriendsmight。Somuchsothathecaughthimself，morethanonceaftermomentsofabsorption，glancingupatthemwithhastypenitence。Hehadforgottenthem，butunoffendedtheyhadbeenwatchingandwaitingforhim。
AlittleafternoonShockfoundthetrailturnintowardalong，log，low—roofedbuilding，whichseemedtohavebeenerectedinsections，withanirregulargroupofsod—roofedout—housesclusteringabout。
Anoldmanloungedagainstthejamboftheopendoor。
\"Goodday，\"saidShockpolitely。
Theoldmanlookedhimoverforamomentortwoandthenansweredasifmakingaconcessionofsomeimportance，\"Goodday，goodday！Fromtown？Wanttoeat？\"
Aglancethroughthedoor，showingtheremainsofdinneronatable，determinedShock。\"No，IguessI’llpushon。\"
\"Allright，\"saidtheoldman，histonesuggestingthatwhileitwasamatterofsupremeindifferencetohim，toShockitmightbeasomewhatseriousconcerntoneglecttoeatinhishouse。
\"ThisisSpruceCreek？\"enquiredShock。
\"Yes，Ibelievethat’swhattheycallit，\"saidtheoldmanwithslowdeliberation，addingafterafewmomentssilence\"becausethereain’tnospruceshere。\"
Shockgavetheexpectedlaughwithsuchheartinessthattheoldmandeignedtotakesomelittleinterestinhim。
\"Cattle？\"heenquired。
\"No。\"
\"Sport？\"
\"Well，alittle，perhaps。\"
\"Oh！Pospectin’，eh？Well，land’sprettywelltakenupinthisvicinity，Iguess。\"
Tothisoldmantherewerenootherinterestsinlifebeyondcattle，sport，andprospctingthatcouldaccountforthestranger’spresenceinthisregion。
\"Yes，\"laughedShock，\"prospectinginawaystoo。\"
Theoldmanwasobviouslypuzzled。
\"Well，\"heventured，\"comeinside，anyway。PrettychillywindthatforApril。Comerightin！\"
Shocksteppedin。Theoldmandrewnearertohim。
\"Pain—killerorlime—juice？\"heenquiredinaninsinuatingvoice。
\"What？\"saidShock。
\"Pain—killerorlime—juice，\"winkingandloweringhisvoicetoaconfidentialtone。
\"Well，asIhaven’tgotanypainIguessI’lltakealittlelime—
juice，\"repliedShock。
Theoldmangavehimanotherwink，longandslow，wenttothecorneroftheroom，pushedbackatable，pulledupaboardfromthefloor，andextractedabottle。
\"You’sgottobemightycareful，\"hesaid。\"Themblankpolicefellers，insteadofattendingtotheirbusiness，noseroundtillafellercan’ttakenorestatnight。\"
Hewenttoashelfthatstoodbehindtheplankthatdidforacounter，tookdowntwoglasses，andfilledthemup。
\"There，\"hesaidwithgreatsatisfaction，\"you’llfindthat’snoback—yardbrew。\"
Shockslowlyliftedtheglassandsmeltit。\"Why，it’swhisky！\"hesaidinasurprisedtone。
\"Ha！ha！\"burstouttheoldman。\"You’readandy;that’swhatitisathome。\"
Hewasdelightedwithhisguest’sfinetouchofhumour。Shockhesitatedamomentortwo，lookingdownatthewhiskyintheglassbeforehim。
\"Howmuch？\"hesaidatlength。
\"Oh，we’llmakethatfiftycentstoyou，\"saidtheoldmancarelessly。
Shockputdownthemoney，liftedhisglassslowly，carriedittothedoorandthrewthecontentsoutside。
\"Holdonthere！Whattheblank，blankdoyoumean？\"Theoldmanwasoverthecounterwithabound。
\"Itwasmine，\"saidShockquietly。
\"Yours，\"shoutedtheoldman，besidehimselfwithrage;\"Iaintgoin’tostandnosuchinsultasthat。\"
\"Insult！\"
\"What’sthematterwiththatwhisky？\"
\"AllrightasfarasIknow，butIwantedlime—juice。\"
\"Lime—juice！\"Theoldman’samazementsomewhatsubduedhisanger。
\"Lime—juice！Well，I’llbeblanked！\"
\"That’swhatIaskedfor，\"repliedShockgood—naturedly。
\"Lime—juice！\"repeatedtheoldman。\"Butwhatinblank，blankdidyouthrowitoutfor？\"
\"Why，whatelsecouldIdowithit？\"
\"Whatelse？Seehere，stranger，thehullpopulationofthisentirevicinityisn’tmorethantwenty—fivepersons，buteverylastoneof’emtwenty—five’udtoldyouwhattodowithit。Whydidn’tyougiveittome？\"
\"Why，\"saidShockinasurprisedtone，\"Idon’tknowthewaysofyourcountry，butwhereIcomefromwedon’ttakeanyman’sleavings。\"
Thiswasnewlightuponthesubjectfortheoldman。
\"Well，now，seehere，youngman，ifeveryou’reindoubtagainaboutaglassofwhiskylikethatonethere，youjustremarktoyourselfthatwhiletheremaybeafewthingsyoumightdowithit，there’sjustoneyoucan’t。There’sonlyonespotforwhisky，andthat’sinsidesomefellowthatknowssomething。Heavensandearth！Didn’tknowwhattodowithit，eh？\"
HepeeredcuriouslyintoShock’sfaceasifhefoundhimaninterestingstudy。
\"No，\"saidShockseriously，\"yousee，Icouldn’tdrinkit——neverdidinmylife。\"
Theoldmandrewnearertohim。\"Say，\"touchinghimwithhisforefingeronthechest，\"ifIcouldonlybesureyou’dkeepfreshI’dputyouinacase。They’dcomeamightylongwayinthiscountrytoseeyou，youbet。\"
BillLee’sangeranddisgustweregivingplacetocuriosity。
\"Whatareyou，anyway？\"heenquired。
\"Well，mybosstoldmeto—dayIwasaprospector。\"Shock’smindreverted，ashespoke，tothatlastconversationwithhisConvener。
\"Prospector，\"echoedtheoldman。\"Whatfor，land，coal？\"
\"No，men。\"
\"What？\"Theoldmanlookedasifhecouldnothaveheardaright。
\"Men，\"saidShockagainsimplyandearnestly。
Billwashopelesslypuzzled。Hetriedtogetatitanotherway。
\"What’syourCompany？\"heenquired。\"Imeanwhoareyouworkingfor？\"
BeforeansweringShockpaused，lookingfarpastBilldownthetrailandthensaidsolemnly，\"God。\"
Billstartedbackfromhiscompanionwithagaspofsurprise。Wasthemanmad？Puttingtheincidentofthewhiskyandthisanswerofhistogether，hemightwellbe。
\"Yes，\"saidShock，withdrawinghiseyesfromthetrailandfacingBillsquarely。\"That’smybusiness。Iamaftermen。\"HedrewfromhispocketasmallBibleandread，\"FollowmeandIwillmakeyoufishersofmen。\"
WhenBillsawtheBiblehelookedrelieved，butratherdisgusted。
\"Oh，Igityounow！You’reapreacher，eh？\"
\"Well，\"saidShockinatonealmostconfidential，\"I’lltellyouI’mnotmuchofapreacher。Idon’tthinkI’mcutoutforthat，somehow。\"HereBillbrightenedslightly。\"Itriedlastnightintown，\"continuedShock，\"anditwasprettybad。Idon’tknowwhohadtheworstofit，thecongregationormyself。Butitwasbad。\"
\"Thinkin’ofquittin’？\"Billaskedalmosteagerly，\"Becauseifyouare，Iknowagoodjobforafellowofyourbuildandmake。\"
\"No，Ican’tquit。Ihavegottogoon。\"Bill’sfacefell。\"AndperhapsIcanmakeupinsomeotherways。Imaybeabletohelpsomefellowsabit。\"ThesincerityandhumbleearnestnessofShock’stonequitesoftenedBill’sheart。
\"Well，there’slotsof’emneedit，\"hesaidinhisgruffvoice。
\"There’stheblankestlotoffoolsontheseranchesyoueverseen。\"
Shockbecamealert。Hewasonthetrackofbusiness。
\"What’swrongwiththem？\"heenquired。
\"Wrong？Why，theyaintgotnosense。Theystockupwithcattle，horses，andoutfittobeatcreation，andthenletthewholethinggotoblazes。\"
\"What’sthematterwiththem？\"persistedShock，\"Aretheylazy？\"
\"Lazy！notahair。Butwhentheygettogetheroverabarrelofbeerorakegofwhiskytheyarelikealotofhogsinaswilltrough，andtheywon’tquitwhiletheykinstand。That’snowayforamantodrink！\"continuedBillindeepdisgust。
\"Why，isnotthisaProhibitioncountry？\"
\"Oh！Prohibitionbeblanked！Whenanymankingetapermitforallhewantstouse，besidesallthatthewhiskymenbringin，what’sthegoodofProhibition？\"
\"Isee，\"saidShock。\"Poorchaps。Itmustbeprettyslowforthemhere。\"
\"Slow！\"exclaimedBill。\"Thataintnoreasonforaman’sbein’afool。Iaintnosaint，butIknowwhentoquit。\"
\"Well，you’relucky，\"saidShock。\"BecauseIhaveseenlotsofmenthatdon’t，andthey’rethefellowsthatneedalittlehelp，don’tyouthinkso？\"
Billsquirmedalittleuneasily。
\"Youcan’tkeepaneyeonallthefoolsunlessyouround’emupincorral，\"hegrunted。
\"No。Butamancankeepfromthinkingmoreofalittleticklinginhisstomachthanhedoesofthelifeofhisfellowman。\"
\"Well，whatIsayis，\"repliedBill，\"everyfellow’sgottolookafterhimself。\"
\"Yes，\"agreedShock，\"andalittleaftertheotherfellows，too。Ifamanissick——\"
\"Oh！nowyou’respeakin’，\"interruptedBilleagerly。\"Why，certainly。\"
\"Orifheisnotverystrong。\"
\"Why，ofcourse。\"
\"Now，don’tyouthink，\"saidShockveryearnestly，\"thatkickingamanalongthatisalreadyslidingtowardaprecipiceisprettymeanbusiness，butsnatchinghimbackandbracinghimupisworthaman’swhile？\"
\"Well，Iguess，\"saidBillquietly。
\"That’sthebusinessI’mtryingtodo，\"saidShock。\"I’dhatetohelpamandownwhoisalreadyontheincline。IthinkI’dfeelmean，andifIcanhelponemanbacktowhereit’ssafe，Ithinkit’sworthwhile，don’tyou？\"
Billappeareduncomfortable。Hecouldnotgetangry，Shock’smannerwassoearnest，frank，respectful，andsincere，andatthesametimehewassharpenoughtoseethebearingofShock’sremarksuponwhatwasatleastapartofhisbusinessinlife。
\"Yes，\"repeatedShockwithenthusiasm，\"that’sworthwhile。Now，lookhere，ifyousawamanslidingdownoneofthoserocksthere，\"
pointingtothegreatmountainsinthedistance，\"tosuredeath，wouldyoulethimslide，orwouldyouputyourhandouttohelphim？\"
\"Well，IbelieveI’dtry，\"saidBillslowly。
\"Butiftherewasgoodmoneyinitforyou，\"continuedShock，\"youwouldsendhimalong，eh？\"
\"Say，stranger，\"criedBillindignantly，\"whatdoyouthinkIam？\"
\"Well，\"saidShock，\"there’salotofmenslidingdownfastabouthere，yousay。Whatareyoudoingaboutit？\"Shock’svoicewasquiet，solemn，almoststern。
\"Isay，\"saidBill，\"you’dbestputupyourhorseandfeed。Yes，you’vegottofeed，bothofyou，andthisisthebestplaceyou’llfindfortwentymilesround，socomerighton。You’relineaintmine，butyou’rewhite。Isay，though，\"continuedBill，unhitchingthecayuse，\"it’sapityyou’vetakenupthatpreachin’business。
I’venotmuchuseforthat。Now，withthattherebuildofyours\"——
BillwasevidentlyimpressedwithShock’sform——\"you’dbefitforalmostanything。\"
Shocksmiledandthengrewserious。
\"No，\"hesaid，\"I’vegottoliveonlyonce，andnothingelseseemedgoodenoughforafellow’slife。\"
\"What，preachin’？\"
\"No。Stoppingmenfromslidingovertheprecipiceandhelpingthemback。Thefactis，\"and，Shocklookedoverthecayuse’sbackintoBill’seyes，\"everymanshouldtakeahandatthat。There’salotofsatisfactioninit。\"
\"Well，stranger，\"repliedBill，leadingthewaytothestable，\"I
guessyou’reprettynearright，thoughit’squeertohearmesayit。
Thereaintmuchinanything，anyway。Whenyourhorseisawayatthefrontleadin’thebunchandeverybodyyellin’foryou，you’rehappy，butwhensomeotherfellow’shorsemakestherunnin’andthecrowdgetsa—yellin’forhim，thenyou’resick。Prettysoonyougitsoyoudon’tcare。\"
\"’Vanityofvanities，allisvanity，’\"quotedShock。\"Solomonsaysyou’reright。\"
\"Solomon，eh？Well，byallaccountshehitquiteagait，too。Hadthemalllookin’dizzy，Ireckon。Comeonin。I’llhavedinnerinashake。\"
Friedporkandflapjacks，donebrowninthegravy，withblackmolassespouredoverall，andblackteastrongenoughtofloataman—of—war，allthiswithacondimentoftwentymilesoffoot—hillbreezes，makesadinnersuchasnokingeverenjoyed。Shock’sdelightinhiseatingwassoobviousthatBill’sheartwarmedtowardshim。Nofinercomplimentcanbepaidacookthantoeatfreelyandwithrelishofhiscooking。Beforethemealwasoverthemenhadsofarbrokenthroughthebarriersofreserveastoventuremutualconfidencesaboutthepast。AfterShockhadtoldtheuneventfulstoryofhislife，inwhichhismother，ofcourse，wasthecentralfigure，Billsatafewmomentsinsilence，andthenbegan:\"Well，Ineverknewmymother。Myfatherwasadevil，soI
guessIcamenaturallybyallthedevilmentinme，andthat’safew。
But\"——andhereBillpausedforsomelittletime——\"butIhadasweetheartonce，overfortyyearsagonow，downinKansas，andshewasallright，youbet。Why，sir，shewas——oh！well，’taintnousetalkin’，butIwenttochurchfortheyearIknowedhermore’nalltherestofmylifeputtogether，andwasshapin’outforadifferentlineofconductuntil——\"Shockwaitedinsilence。\"AftershediedIdidn’tseemtocare。IwentouttoCalifornia，knockedabout，andthentothedevilgenerally。\"Shock’seyesbegantoshine。
\"Iknow，\"hesaid，\"youhadnooneelsetolookafter——tothinkof。\"
\"NonethatIcaredablankfor。Begpardon。SoIdriftedround，dugforgoldalittle，ranchedalittle，Justlikenow，gambledalittle，soldwhiskyalittle，nothingverymuch。Didn’tseemtocaremuch，anddon’tyet。\"
Shocksatwaitingforhimtocontinue，buthardlyknewwhattosay。
Hisheartwasoverflowingwithpityforthislonelyoldmanwhoselifelayinthepast，greyandcolourless，exceptforthatsinglebrightspotwherelovehadmadeitsmark。Suddenlyhestretchedouthishandtowardtheoldman，andsaid:\"Whatyouwantisafriend，arealgoodfriend。\"
Theoldmantookhishandinaquick，fiercegrip，hishard，witheredfacelitupwithasoft，warmlight。
\"Stranger，\"hesaid，tryinghardtokeephisvoicesteady，\"I’dgiveallIhaveforone。\"
\"Letmetellyouaboutmine，\"saidShockquickly。
Halfanhourlater，asBillstoodlookingafterShockandrubbinghisfingers，hesaidinsoliloquy:\"Well，IguessI’mgittin’old。
Whatinthunderhasgotintome，anyway？How’dhegitmeontothatline？Say，whatabuncosteererhe’dmake！Andwiththatfaceandthemeyesofhis！No，’taintthat。It’shisblankhonesttalk。HangifIknowwhatitis，buthe’sgotit！He’swhite，Iswear！Butblankhim！hemakesafellowfeellikeathief。\"
Billwentbacktohislonelyranchwithhislonelymiserablelife，unconsciouslytryingtoanalysehisnewemotions，someofwhichhewouldbegladtoescape，andsomehewouldbeloathtolose。Hestoodathisdooramoment，lookinginuponthecheerlessjumbleofboxesandfurniture，andthenturning，hegazedacrossthesunnyslopestowherehecouldseehisbunchofcattlefeeding，andwithasighthatcamefromthedeepestspotinhisheart，hesaid:\"Yes，I
guesshe’sright。It’safriendIneed。That’swhat。\"
VII
THEOUTPOST
UponaslightswellofprairiestoodtheOutpostmanseofBigRiver，thesoleandonlybuildinginthecountryrepresentativeofthegreatChurchwhichlaybehindit，andwhich，underablestatesmanship，wasseekingtoholdthenewWestforthingshighandgood。TheBigRiverpeoplewereproudoftheirmanse。Theministerwasproudofit，andwithreason。Itstoodforcourage，faith，andself—denial。TotheConvenerandSuperintendent，intheirhoursofdiscouragement，thislittlebuildingbroughtcheerandhope。For，whileitstoodthereitkepttouchbetweenthatnewcountryandwhatwasbestandmostcharteristicinCanadiancivilisation，anditwasforthisthattheywroughtandprayed。But，thoughtopeopleandminister，ConvenerandSuperintendent，thelittlemansemeantsomuch，thebareness，theunloveliness，and，morethanall，theutterlonelinessofitsmoteShockwithasenseofdepression。Atfirsthecouldnotexplaintohimselfthisfeeling。ItwasonlyafterhehadconsciouslyrecognisedthepicturewhichhadrisenincontrastbeforehismindasthehomeoftheFairbanks，thatheunderstood。
\"Icouldneverbringhertosuchahouseasthis，\"washisthought。
\"Awomanwoulddiehere。\"
And，indeed，therewasmuchtodepressinthefirstlookatthelittleboardbuildingthatmadeahomefortheMcIntyres，setdownonthetreelessprairiewithonlyalittlewoodenpalingtodefenditfromthewastethatgapedatitfromeveryside。ThecontrastbetweenthisbarespeckofhumanhabitationandthecosyhomesofhisnativeProvince，seteachwithinitsshelteringnestoforchardandgarden，couldhardly，havebeenmorecomplete。Butashiseyesrandowntheslopeoftheprairieandupoverthehillstothejaggedlineofpeaksatthehorizon，hewasconsciousofaswiftchangeoffeeling。Themightyhillsspoketohisheart。
\"Yes，evenhereonemightlivecontented，\"hesaidaloud，andhefoundhimselfpicturinghowthelightfromthosegreatpeakswouldilluminethefacethathadgrownsodearwithinthelastfewmonths。
\"Andmymotherwouldlikeittoo，\"hesaid，speakingoncemorealoud。Sowithbetterheartheturnedfromthetrailtothelittlemansedoor。Themomenthepassedwithinthedoorallsenseofdepressionwasgone。OutoftheirbarelittlewoodenhousetheMcIntyreshadmadeahome，aplaceofcomfortandofrest。True，thewallswerewithoutplaster，brownpaperwithfactorycottontackedoverittakingitsplace，buttheywerewind—proof，andbesidesweremostconvenientforhangingthingson。Thefurniturethoughchieflyinterestingasanillustrationoftheevolutionofthepackingbox，wasnonethelessserviceableandcomfortable。Thefloorswereasyetuncarpeted，butnowthatAprilwascomethecarpetswerehardlymissed。Then，too，thefewchoicepicturesuponthewalls，theingeniousbookcaseandthemoreingeniousplateandcup—rackdisplayinghonestdelfandsomebitsofchoicechina，thedrapingcurtainsofmuslinandcretonne，allspokeofcultivatedmindsandrefinedtastes。Staringwantstherewere，andmanydiscrepanciesandincongruities，butnovulgaritiesnorcoarsenessnortawdriness。
Whattheyhadwasfitting。Whatwasfittingbutbeyondtheirmeansthesebravehome—makersdidwithout，andallthingsunfitting，howevercheap，theyscorned。AndShock，thoughheknewnothingofthegenesisandevolutionofthishomeanditsfurnishings，wassensibleofitsatmosphereofquietcomfortandrefinement。ThewelcomeoftheMcIntyreswasradiantwithgoodcheerandheartyhospitality。
Itwaspartlythesea—roverinhisblood，makingimpossiblethefamiliarpathstroddenbareofanyexperiencethatcouldstirtheheartorthrilltheimagination，butmorethathighambitionthatdwellsinnobleyouth，makingitresponsivetothecallofdutywheredutyisdifficultanddangerous，thatsentDavidMcIntyreoutfromhisquietcountryhomeinNovaScotiatothefarWest。A
brilliantcourseinPictouAcademy，thatnursingmotherofgeniusforthatProvincebythesea，astillmorebrilliantcourseinDalhousie，andafterwardsinPineHill，promisedyoungMcIntyreanythinghemightdesireinthewayofscholasticdistinction。Theremonstranceofoneofhisprofessors，whenhelearnedoftheintentionofhisbrilliantandmostpromisingstudenttogivehislifetoWesternmissionwork，wascharacteristicoftheattitudeofalmostthewholeCanadianChurchofthatday。
\"Oh，Mr。McIntyre！\"saidtheProfessor，\"thereisnoneedforsuchamanasyoutogototheWest。\"
EquallycharacteristicofthemanwasMcIntyre’sreply。
\"But，Professor，someonemustgo;andbesidesthatseemstomegreatwork，andI’dliketohaveahandinit。\"
Itwasthenecessity，thedifficulty，andthepromiseoftheworkthatsummonedyoungMcIntyrefromalltheopenings，vacancies，positions，andappointmentshisfriendsweresoeagerlywavingbeforehiseyesandsethimamongthefoot—hillsinthefarfrontasthefirstsettledministerofBigRiver，theprideofhisConvener’sheart，thefriendandshepherdofthescatteredfarmersandranchersofthedistrict。Onceonlydidhecomeneartoregrettinghischoice，andthennotforhisownsake，butforthesakeoftheyounggirlwhomhehadlearnedtoloveandwhoselovehehadgainedduringhisstudentdays。Wouldsheleavehomeandfriendsandthesocialcircleofwhichshewasthebrightestornamentforallthathecouldoffer？Hehadoftenwrittentoher，picturingintheradiantcoloursofhisownWesternskythegloryofprairie，foot—hill，andmountain，thegreatnessandpromiseofthenewland，andtheworthoftheworkhewastryingtodo。Buthistwoyearsofmissionaryexperiencehadmadehimfeelthehardship，theisolation，themeagreness，ofthelifewhichshewouldhavetosharewithhim。Thesunsetcolourswerestillthere，buttheywerelaiduponraggedrock，lonelyhill，andwind—swept，emptyprairie。Ittookhimdaysofhardridingandharderthinkingtogivefinalformtothelastparagraphofhisletter:
\"Ihavetriedfaithfullytopicturemylifeandwork。Canyoubraveallthis？ShouldIaskyoutodoit？Mywork，Ifeel，lieshere，andit’sworthaman’slife。Butwhetheryouwillshareit，itisforyoutodecide。Ifyoufeelyoucannot，believeme，Ishallnotblameyou，butshallloveandhonouryouasbefore。ButthoughitbreakmyheartIcannotgobackfromwhatIseetobemywork。Ibelongtoyou，butfirstIbelongtoHimwhoisbothyourMasterandmine。\"