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。"