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"The Settlers in Canada" was published in 1844, the twenty-first book to
flow from Marryat's pen. Marryat's later books were written for a
juvenile readership. This book is notable because it is not in Marryat's
earlier style, in that the narrative flows forward in a steady style,
without the introduction of the usual asides which make his nautical
books so readable. The subject material, set in the Canadian wilderness,
is very well treated: in fact one might almost say that he had read the
works of the later masters of Canadian wilderness writing, Ballantyne or
Egerton Ryerson Young. Another feature which is unusual for him is the
shortness and evenness of the chapters; nor are there any of the long
paragraphs normal for his earlier works. This helps to make the book so
suitable as a children's book.
The story opens in England, where the Campbell family are living on a
wealthy estate, Wexton Hall, which they had inherited because it was
considered that the direct heir, of whom nothing had been heard for many
years, was dead. When they had taken it on the estate was very run down
and needed much expensive renovation, for instance to the tenants'
houses. Out of the blue comes a solicitor's letter advising them that
the presumed heir was indeed dead, but that he had had a son, who was
now the heir, so the Campbell family, after some expensive legal work,
agree to give up the estate. They then decide to use what little money
they have left, to emigrate to Canada, acquire some land, and try to
build up a farm. This all works quite well, despite some misadventures
and narrow escapes. After some years another solicitor's letter arrives
to tell them that their cousin who had received the Wexton estate from
them had died as a result of a fall when out hunting. So back they go to
England, leaving one of the sons in charge of the farm in Canada.
Contents
Chapter I An Unexpected Fortune
Chapter II What became of the Fortune
Chapter III Alfred's Advice
Chapter IV The Convoy Attacked
Chapter V Landing in Canada
Chapter VI Martin, the Trapper
Chapter VII The Story of Pontiao
Chapter VIII The Ascent op the River
Chapter IX At the Settlement
Chapter X Malachi and John
Chapter XI Visit to Malachi's Wife
Chapter XII John's Education
Chapter XIII Captain Sinclair's Warning
Chapter XIV Letters from England
Chapter XV Dangerous Neighbours
Chapter XVI Reason for Contentment
Chapter XVII Attacked by a Wolf
Chapter XVIII The Angry Snake
Chapter XIX Emma Shoots a Wolf
Chapter XX The Squaw Saved
Chapter XXI Christmas in Canada
Chapter XXII The Beavers
Chapter XXIII Malachi's Story of a Bear
Chapter XXIV Captain Sinclair Leaves Canada
Chapter XXV The Mills proposed
Chapter XXVI The Strawberry's Weddino
Chapter XXVII The Indian's Visit
Chapter XXVIII Fire in the Woods
Chapter XXIX John Shoots an Indian
Chapter XXX Alfred Seized by a Puma
Chapter XXXI Percival Lost
Chapter XXXII An Indian Letter
Chapter XXXIII Tapping the Maple Trees
Chapter XXXIV Malachi and the Indian
Chapter XXXV John's Danger
Chapter XXXVI Mart Carried Off
Chapter XXXVII The Trail Struck
Chapter XXXVIII Percival Transformed
Chapter XXXIX The Family Reunited
Chapter XL Return to England
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