'Wild Bill' was a strange character, just the one which a novelist might gloat over.

'Bill' says he, 'you ain't dead; you're worse'n dead.

But their wrath rose to fury on the introduction of a Bill 'to provide for the indemnification of parties in Lower Canada whose property was destroyed during the Rebellion in 1837 and 1838:' a 'questionable measure,' to use Lord Elgin's own words in first mentioning it, 'but one which the preceding administration had rendered almost inevitable by certain proceedings adopted by them' in Lord Metcalfe's time.

[Sidenote: Annexation movement] The disturbances which followed the passing of the 'Rebellion Losses Bill' have been described in the preceding chapter chiefly as they affected the person of the Governor.

I 'ope as me and Bill 'ave a square deal.

When the goodman, therefore, comes in expecting the usual spicy sausage, kidney stew, or roast pig, do not set before him a dish of mushy barley or sodden beans as an introduction to your new 'reform bill' of fare, or there may be remarks, no more lacking in flavour than London eggs.

ses old Cook, as soon as they 'ad quieted Sarah Ann with a bowl o' cold water that young Bill 'ad the presence o' mind to go and fetch.

It took four men to carry Bill 'ome, and he was that particular you wouldn't believe.

Bill 'ad intended to lay up for another week, and the doctor, wot 'ad been calling twice a day, said he wouldn't be responsible for 'is life if he didn't; but the ten pounds was too much for 'im, and one evening, just a week arter the accident, he turned up at this Cauliflower public-'ouse and began to spend 'is money.

The governor he say that maybe he stop that Bill 'Art kind of picshur.

"'Laughing Bill' Hyde!

It looked as though we should have a pretty cold start, but by the end of breakfast the wind had dropped and the sun shone forth. Started on a bad surfaceponies plunging a good deal for 2 miles or so, Bowers' 'Uncle Bill' walking steadily on his snow-shoes.

Bill 'ad the bravery to look out of the winder when 'e 'eard the pig squeal, but there was such a awful snarling noise that 'e daresn't move 'and or foot.

Bill 'ung his 'ead and looked a bit silly.

Bill 'ad just lit 'is pipe, and as he threw the match down he ses: "I don't like these 'ere safety matches," he ses.

Sam and Ginger Dick came in a little while arterward, both badly marked where Bill 'ad hit them, and sat talking to Peter in whispers as to wot was to be done.

After I gave 'im up I walked out with a young fellow named Smith; fine, big, strapping chap 'e was, too, and I never saw such a change in any man as there was in 'im after Bill 'ad done with 'im. I couldn't believe it was 'im.

Ah have a twenty-doll ah bill 'roun som'ers, if hi could evah fin' hit.

"What's more, and whatever's the matter, Bill 'elps.

"If on'y I 'ad Bill 'ere" "Ha, yes: 'im! 'E'd put a boiler inside 'em, no doubt; an' a donkey-engin', an'" "What'yer talkin' about? . . .

Bill 'ere, to advise somethin' practical.

"An' me thinkin' Bill 'ad gone north to Wolver'ampton!"

They've put on a boy to work the engine, an' Bill 'as told me things about that boiler o' Gavel's . . .

"Say what yer like," said Tilda half an hour later as, having selected their bunks, the children composed themselves to sleep, "but Bill 'as the 'ead of the two.

"'Oh, Bill' "'With the tomahawk you killed my father, an' by the tomahawk you shall die.'