CHAP. III.

VISIT TO THE TOWN.

IT happened that once a year, a servant of the name of Joseph, went to the nearest town, which was about fifty miles distant from his master's house. He had on one occasion, when he went there, amused his friends with an account of Kanousky's being found at the side of the wood, of his games and tricks, and of many other things about him which were of an interesting kind. The last time he was at the town they begged him when he came again to bring Ka

nousky, with which request he promised to comply, if his master would not oppose it. His master gave him permission to take the Indian, and Kanousky, who was not without that spirit of adventure so common to the tribes in America, caught at the proposal and went. He was well received by Joseph's friends.

How wonderful are the ways of God; and how often do apparently trifling circumstances lead to great events. The visit of Kanousky to the town seemed to be only an ordinary occurrence, but from this journey resulted a most important affair. While he was there, for he remained in that place about a fortnight, he used sometimes to loiter about the town by himself, gazing at every object with wonder and delight; every thing he saw was

quite new to him. He would sometimes amuse himself at the window of a tailor's shop; then at a cutler's; then at a watchmaker's; and

so on.

One morning, when he was straying out as usual, he found the shops closed, and the people that he met handsomely dressed. He knew not what to make of this: as he wandered, he walked forward till he heard a noise. He listened to ascertain from what quarter it came, and discovering it, he proceded towards it. Presently he came to a large building; here he stopped, and seeing a man about to enter it, he said, "Massa, what for they make that noise in that large house?" The stranger eyed Kanousky for a moment, being surprised at the nature of the question, and wondering who

the lad might be that should thus interrogate him. He thought that it might be only Kanousky's impertinence that dictated such a question to him, and that the imperfect manner in which he spoke might be assumed. Being, however, a worthy man, and not knowing any thing about Kanousky, he thought within himself, "Charity hopeth all things, and I'll hope the best." But before he replied, Kanousky, who had sufficient penetration to perceive that the man was deliberating whether or no to answer him, added, "Me no impudent, Massa; me Indian, me come here far away with a friend." His simple manner convinced the man that he spoke the truth. The stranger replied, "They are praising God in that house."

"Praising God, what is that?"

"Come in and see," replied the man. Kanousky followed him into the chapel, and sat down beside him. After the psalm had been sung, and the other part of the service gone through, the minister commenced his sermon from this verse, "We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or evil." In the sermon the minister said much about the awfulness of the day of judgment to wicked people; he dwelt upon the necessity there was of leading a holy life, as Christ would judge men for their thoughts, words, and works; and he told his audience that God would punish such of them for ever, as should be found to have lived in neglect of his will.