No one but an Indian could have kept the tangled path, which led through a perfect confusion of drifts and underbrush. Though only fifty-six miles distant, they were nearly a week on the way, for after several days of circuitous wanderings the Indian was forced to admit that he was not positive as to the exact location of the settlement. Their perseverance was rewarded after five days on seeing smoke ascending from a small collection of huts. "Is this the Scotch settlement?" asked Rug of an old man who was cutting wood. "Ay, sir," was the reply. "Is there a Justice of the Peace here?" "Ay, sir." "Well," said Rug, "I want to see him. Where is he?" The old man dropped his axe, and going to one of the huts, knocked at the door. "Is your gude mon at hame?" he asked of a tall, fair woman, who had all the evidence of a lady of refinement and culture. "The Major left this morning for Montreal," she replied, "but he has appointed Archie McKeracher to act in his place during his absence." They then approached Archie, who was busily engaged in hewing a stick of timber near his shanty. "I believe," said Rug, "that you are authorized to act as Justice of the Peace?" "That I am," he said, pulling himself up as if straining to attain to the height of the dignity and importance of the position. "And that you can issue licenses and perform marriages?" "Ay," he said, "that I can." "Well," continued Rug, "I want you to come down to the Chaudiere to perform a ceremony for me." "Mon alive," he exclaimed, "would you be askin' such a thing? Dinna ye ken that my gude wife an my bairnies 'ud perish? Na! na! na!" "But," said Rug, "I shall pay you for loss of time, and it will be to your profit. I'll give you £10 for your trouble." "Na! na!" he said. "Ten gouden sovereigns would na pay me for my trouble." After a long and tedious discussion it was finally decided that the Scotchman should return with them in consideration of "the young mon's importunity," and that the fee be raised to £14. Rug and the Scotchman reached the White House just as the members of the Chief's family were gathering round the supper table, and the devoted young lover was not slow in observing Hannah in the group. "We have bad news for you, Rug," said his father. "We have just ascertained that marriages are not valid in Lower Canada unless performed by a minister or priest."