"But such toil must be arduous, Mr. Auld, for you are not a young man and you do not look altogether a robust one." He paused in meditation. "It is arduous, sometimes;--to-day I have talked to the men at eight camps and I have visited fourteen families at different points on my journey. But, if I were to stop, who would look after my beloved people in the ranches all up the coast; who would care for my easily-led, simple-hearted brethren in the logging camps, every one of whom knows me, confides in me and looks forward to my coming; not one of whom but would part with his coat for me, not one who would harm a hair of my head. I shall not stop, Mr. Bremner,--I have no desire to stop, not till God calls me. "I see you have been making changes even in your short time here," he said, pointing to the store. "Yes! I think Jake and I did fairly well yesterday," I answered, not a little proudly. "Splendidly, my boy! And, do you know,--your coming here means a great deal. It is the commencement of a new departure, for your store is going to prove a great boon to the settlers. They have been talking about it and looking forward to it ever since it was first mooted. "But it will not be altogether smooth sailing for you, for you must keep a close rein on your credit." It struck me, as he spoke, that he was the very man I was desirous of meeting regarding what I considered would prove my stumbling block. "Can you spare me half an hour, sir, and have tea with me?" I asked. "Yes! gladly, for my day's service is over,--all but one call, and a cup of tea is always refreshing." I showed him inside and set him in my cosiest chair. While I busied with the table things,--washing some dishes as a usual preliminary,--I approached the subject. "Mr. Auld,--I wished to ask your advice, for I am sure you can assist me. My employer, Mr. Horsfal, has given me a free hand regarding credit to the settlers. I know none of them and I am afraid that, without guidance, I may offend some or land the business in trouble with others. Will you help me, sir?" "Why--of course, I'll help." He took a sheet of paper from his pocket and commenced to write, talking to me as he did so. "You know, if times are at all good, you can trust the average man who owns the ranch he lives on to pay his grocery bills sooner or later. Still, if I were you, I wouldn't let any of them get into debt more than sixty or seventy dollars, for they do not require to, and, once they get in arrears, they have difficulty in getting out.