Protestant ministers of the gospel were few in those days; and the words of form were usually spoken by a Jesuit missionary. Or, if the Pioneer had objections to Catholicism--as many had--his place was supplied by some justice of the peace, of doubtful powers and mythical appointment. If neither of these could be procured, the father of the bride, himself, sometimes assumed the functions, _pro hac vice_, or _pro tempore_, of minister or justice. It was always understood, however, that such left-handed marriages were to be confirmed by the first minister who wandered to the frontier: and, even when the opportunity did not offer for many months, no scandal ever arose--the marriage vow was never broken. The pioneers were simple people--the refinements of high cultivation had not yet penetrated the forests or crossed the prairies--and good faith and virtue were as common as courage and sagacity. When the brief, but all-sufficient ceremony was over, the bridegroom resumed his rifle, helped the bride into the saddle--or more frequently to the pillion behind him--and they calmly rode away together. On some pleasant spot--surrounded by a shady grove, or point of timber--a new log-cabin has been built: its rough logs notched across each other at the corners, a roof of oaken clapboards, held firmly down by long poles along each course, its floor of heavy "puncheons," its broad, cheerful fireplace, large as a modern bed-room--all are in the highest style of frontier architecture. Within--excepting some anomalies, such as putting the skillet and tea-kettle in the little cupboard, along with the blue-edged plates and yellow-figured tea-cups--for the whole has been arranged by the hands of the bridegroom himself--everything is neatly and properly disposed. The oaken bedstead, with low square posts, stands in one corner, and the bed is covered by a pure white counterpane, with fringe--an heirloom in the family of the bride. At the foot of this is seen a large, heavy chest--like a camp-chest--to serve for bureau, safe, and dressing-case.