It was a long low room with a fireplace roughly built of limestone at one end of it The blazing logs illuminated one corner and sent strange shadows into the others while the winter wind moaned drearily outside At the right and left of the fireplace were rude counters hewn from logs resting on stumps of unequal height and behind them were shelves packed with the sordid miscellany of a frontier tradingpost A closed door on either side seemingly led to other apartments but there was no sound save the wind and the crackle of the flames A candle thrust into the broken neck of a bottle gave a feeble light to a little space around one end of the counter on which it stood The rafters were lowso low that a tall man standing on tiptoe might easily unhook the smoked hams and sides of bacon that hung there swaying back and forth when the wind shook the house Walls ceiling and floor were of logs cut into a semblance of smoothness The chinks were plastered with a bluish clay and the crevices in the floor were filled with a mixture of clay and small chips At the left of the chimney was a rude ladder which led to the loft through an opening in the ceiling Fingers of sleet tapped at the glass swirling phantoms of snow drifted by pausing for a moment at the windows as if to look within and one of the men moved his chair closer to the fire You fed the cattle didnt you Chan The halfbreed grunted assent It was the eldest of the three who had spoken His crouching position in his chair partially concealed his great height but the firelight shone full upon his irongrey hair and the deep lines seamed upon his kindly face His hands were rough and knotted his fingers straight and square at the tipshands without beauty but full of strength The hand which rested on the arm of the chair next to him was entirely different It was fair and smooth and slender with tapering fingers and with the outer line of the palm delicately curved instinct with strength of another sort yet gentle almost to the point of femininity The hand accorded ill with the deep melodious voice of the man when he said Uncle you dont know how glad I am to be here with you and Aunt Eleanor I feel as if I had come home at last after many wanderings Youre welcome my boy was the hearty answer Im glad you got through before this storm came cause travellin cross country isnt good in February as a rule Things will be closed up now till Spring And thenwhat asked the young man Trains of packhorses from Rock River and the Illinois Canoes and a bateau from Milwaukee in charge of Canadian engags Then the vessel from Fort Mackinac with goods for the trade and Indians from all over creation The busy season begins in the Spring Chandonnais the halfbreed was audibly asleep in his warm corner and the guest arose to walk nervously about the room He was clad in rusty black broadcloth which had seen all of its best days and some of its worst and clung closely to his tall lank figure as though in fear of the ultimate separation His hair was black and straight his eyes deep brown and strangely luminous his mouth sensitive and his face very pale He was not more than twentyfive or six and looked even younger John Mackenzie quietly watched him in his uneasy march back and forth At last he came to the fire stopped short and put a questioning finger upon the limestone Heres some initials he said J B P D Swhat does that stand for Jean Baptiste Pointe de Saible I reckon replied Mackenzie He built this cabin The Indians say that the first white man here was a negro P L Mcontinued the young man Who was he Pierre Le Mai I guessthe French trader I bought the place from You should put yours here too Uncle Not I my boy I have come to stayand my children after me That reminds me of my young charge Shall we begin tomorrow As you like The sooner the better I suppose You brought books didnt you All that I have not many I regret to say Johnny has a spellingbook that came from Mackinac in a chest of green tea when the vessel touched here last year He was very anxious then to know what was inside of it but I dont know how he feels now Have you any special instructions for me No answered Mackenzie rising He put his hand on the young mans shoulder and looked down into his face I never had much booklearning he said cause I ran away from school but I want that my son should have it Teach him everything you know that he can learn it wont hurt him none Teach him to tell the truth to be afraid of nothing but dishonour and to be kind to women You look like your mother boy The door opened suddenly and the gust of wind that came in with it put out the candle and filled the room with the odour of burning tallow How grunted a stalwart Indian in general salutation How responded Mackenzie What is it tonight The savage was more than six feet in height and looked like the chief that he was He was dressed from head to foot in buckskin cunningly embroidered and beaded by a squaw He wore nothing on his head but a brilliant blanket was draped over one shoulder A powderhorn hung at his side and a huntingknife gleamed in his belt The squaw came in behind her lord and master and shut the door three grey wolf skins falling to the floor as she did so Shawneawkee commanded the Indian pointing to Mackenzie The woman obediently laid the skins upon the counter and Black Partridge began to bargain for flour and bacon speaking his own tongue An animated conversation ensued with many gestures on the part of the Indian Mackenzie answered quietly in the harsh Pottawattomie dialect and stood his ground The chief finally yielded with a good grace which might or might not have been genuine and the transfer was accomplished The Indian picked up one of the skins and pointed to a blood stain near the top of it then began to talk rapidly Mackenzie listened till he had finished speaking then turned to his nephew Look here Rob he said this will interest you He says he had no trap so he took his last piece of bacon and his huntingknife and went up into the north woods He sat down under a tree and waited with the bacon in his left hand and his knife in his right Presently the hungry wolf appeared and after due investigation came near enough to stab He says he waited from midnight till almost sunrise A white man never could do that Hardly returned the young man fingering the skin curiously What monumental patience This speech with a little additional compliment was translated for the benefit of Black Partridge whose stolid features gleamed momentarily then relapsed into impassive bronze A cheery whistle was heard outside then a stamp upon the piazza a merry and prolonged tapping reinforced by a kick at which the door burst open and a young soldier entered Evening he shouted to Mackenzie He pounded the Indian familiarly on the back saying Hello Birdie tweaked the squaws ear and tickled her under the chin and reached the fire before any one else had time to speak Ronald said Mackenzie this is my nephew Robert Forsyth from Detroit Mr Forsyth Ensign George Ronald of Fort Dearborn Ronald drew his heels together saluted with mock solemnity then wrung Forsyths slender hand in a grip that made him wince Proud to know you sir Third in command at your service sir Have you come to enlist Chandonnais awoke muttered an oath and ran to the door shutting it noisily Your pardon sir continued Ronald Winds from the south this evening Thought Id let a little warm air in Never appreciated in this world Hope I may be in the next Do I speak to a soldier sir No laughed Forsyth Whos the lady you have with you Birdie asked the Ensign turning to the Indian Am I mistaken in supposing it to be Mrs B Partridge Me no spik Ingleesh answered the chief with great dignity Neither do I Birdie neither do I continued the soldier genially Devilish language with all kinds of corners in it to hurt yourself on I was pitched into it headlong the day of my arrival and have been at sea ever since Dont fool with it Birdie Youre getting on all right with signs and pictures and grunts and if Mrs B P doesnt speak it why so much the better Vast resources in the language known to women only What going Byebye Another breeze from the south entered the room as Black Partridge and the squaw made a stately exit the woman carrying the provisions for which the wolf skins had been bartered Ronald began Mackenzie drawing another chair from behind the counter Id advise you to be more careful with the Indians Theyre a treacherous crowd I am careful answered the Ensign hurling a very shabby overcoat across the room and sinking comfortably into Mackenzies chair Thats why I asked about Mrs B P You see I was skating on the river this morning before this little snow flurry struck us and I met this lady She seemed to want to go so I took her with me She slid along on her moccasins hanging on behind and had a fine time till we struck a snowdrift just around the bend The woman tempted me and I did throw her into it Lord how she squalled It may have been ungallant but it was fun Mackenzie laughed in spite of his wellmeant efforts to keep his face straight and Forsyths eyes were bright with new interest Chandonnais was asleep again It was quite natural to make inquiries wasnt it resumed Ronald I wouldnt want to throw another mans wife into a snowdrift especially when the gentleman in question is a sixfoot savage with a tomahawk and peculiar ideas about fair play Your manner of speech is not suited to the Indians said Mackenzie soberly There you go againalways criticising always finding fault Criticism irks me Thats why I left the Fort this evening Fussy lot over there What was the matter asked Forsyth Nothing at all Captain and his wife reading last months papers and taking no notice of visitors Lieutenant and his wife writing letters likewise oblivious of visitors All inhospitablenobody asked me to sit down Barracks asleep Doc and I played solitaire because its the only game he knowsto see who could get through first and he kicked up a devil of a row because I cheated Hasnt a man a right to cheat when hes playing solitaire No law against cheating yourself is there Thats a mooted question Forsyth answered Maybe so maybe so I mooted it awhile with the Doc and then quit Coming over I managed to get into the hole I broke in the river for this mornings bath but it was all slush and iceno harm done His garments were steaming in the generous warmth of the fire and perspiration beaded his forehead He stood a little over six feet in his stockings and his superb muscle was evident in every line of his body His thick yellow hair was so long that he occasionally shook it back like a mane He had the face of a Vikingblue eyes straight nose red and white complexion and a mouth and chin that in some way suggested steel One felt the dynamic force of the man his power of instant and permanent decision and the ability to put that decision into immediate action Sorry youre not going to be a soldier Mr Forsyth he continued I knew you werent as soon as I saw youyoure altogether too young The barracks are full of old ladies with the rheumatism The parade ground is bloody with red flannel when the troops limp out which is seldom by the way the Captain having a tender heart Me and the other officers are the only ones under the age limit if there is any age limit When a man gets too old to be of use in the army the President says Dont discharge the poor cusssend him out to Fort Dearborn where all his old friends are Hell be well taken care of and wont have anything to do When you see an old man in a tattered uniform bent and wrinkled and gummyeyed who puts his hand up to his ear and says Hey when you speak to him dont step on himhes a soldier stationed at the Fort Had a wrestling match with one of the most sprightly this very morning and took the skin off the poor tender old devil in several places Doc made a surpassingly fine seam at one of the places afterwardDocs pretty good with a needle and thread The patient is in his bunk now being rubbed with hot things by one of the rheumatics Ive tried to get the Doc to prescribe a plunge in the river every morning for the barracks and Ive urged the Captain to order it but its no use Peculiar treatment for rheumatism smiled Mackenzie Its the only thing they havent tried and Im inclined to think it would work a change There was a brief silence during which Forsyth studied the young officer attentively but Ronald was never still very long What are you going to be if not a soldier he asked curiously Youreyoure not a missionary are you Do I look like one Cant saymissionaries are deceiving but I hope not The Pottawattomies tomahawked the last one and fried the remains Theyre not yet ready for the soothing influences of religion I have come to teach my young cousins said Forsyth slowly and to help my uncle as I can I graduated from college last year and went to Detroit to teach but II didnt do very well His pale face reddened as he made his confession Uncle John and Aunt Eleanor have kindly offered me a home with them he went on Theyre the only relatives I have They are relatives enough remarked the Ensign Mrs Mackenzie is the kindest woman and the best cook that ever lived isnt she Chan The sleeper made no reply so Ronald strode over to him and shook him roughly Wake up he bellowed Is Mrs Mackenzie a good cook or isnt she Answer The halfbreed was frightened for a moment but quickly realised the situation What he asked The question was repeated with sundry shakes for emphasis Yes grunted Chandonnais sheepishly she good cook Sit up straight then and look your prettiest You cant sleep all day and all night too The restless visitor made a rapid tour around the counters carefully examining the goods upon the shelves Nothing here I can use he announced returning to the fire What was that silver thing the Indian had on asked Forsyth It looked like a coin of some kind That was his precious medal Captain Wells gave it to him and he prizes it more than he does the hair of his lordly top piece When Birdie dies youll find that sacred medal nailed to him and if it doesnt accompany him to the happy huntinggrounds his ghost will haunt the miserable mortal who has it Dont mind a plain ghost myself but a ghost with a tomahawk might be pretty bad I make silver things for the Indians sometimes Mackenzie said They call me Shawneawkee meaning The Silver Man A face appeared at the window for an instant and peered furtively within It was so silent and so white in the midst of the swirling snow that it might have been a phantom of the storm Then the door opened slowly creaking ever so little on its hinges and was softly closed They felt rather than heard a presence in the room Forsyth turning saw a wisp of a woman bent and old in a faded blue calico dress which came scarcely to her ankles Her shoes were much too large for her and badly worn A ragged shawl of uncertain colour and pattern was her only protection from the cold It slipped off as she came toward the fire moving noiselessly and Forsyth saw that her hair was snow white and her face finely traced with wrinkles Mackenzie looked also Mad Margaret he whispered to Forsyth in a swift aside Dont say anything The halfbreeds eyes had a wolfish glitter which no one saw Forsyth rose bowed politely and offered her his chair If she saw him she made no sign Coming closer to the fire she crouched on her knees before it and stretched her frail delicate hands toward the grateful warmth Ronalds flood of high spirits instantly receded For a long time they sat there in silence Mackenzie and the Ensign were looking into the fire thinking perhaps of things a thousand miles away while Forsyth and Chandonnais narrowly watched the woman Unmistakable madness of the dumb pathetic kind was written on her face Her unseeing eyes were faded blue her cheeks were sunken and her chin delicately pointed Solitude went with her always She might have been alone in the primeval forest before a fire some unknown hand had kindled among wild beasts of whom she was not afraid Some eerie influence was upon her for after a little she moved nervously and peered into the flames muttering to herself Oh Lord groaned Mackenzie shes goin to have one of her spells How often the poor crazed creature had sought him when the tempests swept her soul only he could tell He leaned forward and took hold of her hand Margaret he said Margaret The touch and the voice seemed to quiet her but she still looked searchingly into the flames Chandonnais rose reached up to the chimneyshelf and took down a violin With the first touch of the bow upon the strings she left Mackenzie and went to him kneeling at his feet with her eyes fixed hungrily upon his face Strains of wild music filled the roommusic which no man had ever heard before A tender halfhushed whisper the tinkle of a brook a twilight subtleness of shadow then a low crooning note as if the brook had gone to sleep Strange sounds of swaying branches came from the violin with murmurs of a mighty wind then of a sudden there seemed to be dawn The tinkle of the brook began again with a bird note here and there at the beginning of a great crescendo which swept on and on as the music of the river was woven in Question prayer and mating call from a thousand silvery throats rioted through the tapestry of sound then merged into a deep passionate tone of infinite sweetness as if the river had found the sea or a mans tortured soul had come face to face with its ultimate peace Play said Mad Margaret brokenly play more Once again the bow swept the strings bringing forth a melody which breathed rest It was quiet and hushed like the woods at twilight or the shore of a sea that knows no storm Through it ran a haunting cadence with the rhythm of a lullaby and Margaret rocked her frail body back and forth unconsciously keeping time When it was finished she sat quite still but on her face was the rapt look of the seer I see blood she said very distinctly Much blood then fire and afterward peace It was the old old prophecy which she had made a thousand times Much blood she repeated shaking her head sadly Where Peggy asked Ronald suddenly Here she answered making a wide circle with her arms What else do you see he asked again looking at her intently She drew her hand wearily across her forehead and closed her eyes for an instant then went to him and put her hands on his knees I see you she said meaningly Where Peggy His voice was low and very gentle as if he were speaking to a child Here with the blood You shall have many sorrows but never your hearts desire Never my hearts desire No Many sorrows at the time of the blood but not that What is my hearts desire It has not come but you will know it soon She looked at him keenly for an instant then laughed mockingly and almost before they knew it she had darted out into the night like the wild thing that she was No one spoke until after Chandonnais had put the violin in its place on the chimneyshelf and clambered up the ladder which led to the loft Who is she Uncle Nobody knows sighed Mackenzie She appeared unexpectedly the very day we came here Sometimes months go by without a glimpse of her then for a time she will come every day How does she live Mackenzie shrugged his shoulders We give her things he said and so do the Indians and the people at the Fort Black Partridge says he has seen her catch a gull on the lake shore strangle it and eat it raw At the full of the moon when her rages come on her she speaks very good English At other times she mutters something no one can understand or else she does not speak at all She is harmless I believe She is only one of the strange things one finds in a new country How did you come to settle here Uncle I hardly know Its a good place for trading and the Fort is near by I like the new places where a few make their own laws and I like the prairie I can breathe here but the hills choke me Never my hearts desire mused the Ensign He was sitting with his elbows on his knees and his chin in his hands gazing into the fire He did not know that he had spoken aloud Do any of us ever find it asked Forsyth Not often I guess answered Mackenzie When we do we are disappointed and begin to seek for something else From across the river muffled by the storm came the deep sonorous notes of a bell Taps said Ronald He hurried into his overcoat without a word of farewell and bolted Forsyth followed to close the door after him and then went to the window to look at the dark floundering figure silhouetted dimly against the snow Breezy young man commented Mackenzie Yes answered Forsyth after a moments silence I like him CHAPTER II NEW ACQUAINTANCES The next morning was cold and clear The sun shone brilliantly revealing unsuspected diamonds set in the snow Forsyth woke late wondered sleepily where he was and then remembered His room was at the western end of the house which faced the south and from his window he could see the Fort and the Agency on the other side of the river A savoury suggestion of frying bacon penetrating the rough log partition impelled him to dress hurriedly As he broke the ice in his water pitcher he wondered whether the Ensign had taken his regular plunge and shivered at the thought When he reached the large room which served as kitchen diningroom and parlour he found the family already assembled Chandonnais was just leaving the table and Mrs Mackenzie sat at the head pouring coffee from a quaint and battered silver pot which had been her grandmothers Goodmorning she said cheerily I thought most likely you were beat out from travelling and I told John to let you sleep She was a large fair woman matronly in every line and her face was delicately pink Her abundant hair was ashen blonde escaping in little curls at her temples and at the second glance one saw that it was rapidly turning grey She had a wholesome air of cleanliness and her blue eyes mirrored the kindness in the depths of her motherly heart Her brood was gathered around her and every face had been scrubbed until it shone The baby sat at her right and pounded the table madly with his pewter spoon to the evident delight of his father Maria Indiana was sipping warm milk daintily like the fouryearold lady that she was and Ellen and Johnny conducted themselves with more dignity than is common to people of seven and nine Forsyth had made friends with the children the evening before and of his own accord had extended the schooling to all but the baby Its going to be a sight of comfort to me said Mrs Mackenzie to have the young ones out from under foot half the time The baby dont bother much I tie him in his chair give him something to play with and hes all right Where am I to teach Aunt Eleanor In the next room I guess Theres a fireplace in there and you can have it all to yourselves Just wait till the breakfast things are out of the way and Ill see to it At this juncture the Ensign appeared smiling and debonair Morning Am I too late for coffee Youve had some already this morning havent you asked Mackenzie Well now that depends on what coffee really is Of course they called it that but it isnt to be mentioned in the same breath with Mrs Mackenzies Robert noted that there was an extra cup on the table and surmised that the delicate hint was not infrequent Thank you continued the visitor in a grateful tone youve saved my life I wish I had a dollar for every time Ive saved your life laughed Mrs Mackenzie So do I for you are a good and beautiful woman and you deserve a fortune if anybody ever did Go away you flatterer You remind me of a big motherless chicken Gaunt and chickenlike I may be but never motherless while you live A little bread and butter please to go with the coffee Wouldnt you like some bacon asked Mackenzie hospitably Well perhapsa little Mrs Mackenzie cooks it beautifully Ellen said her mother get another plate Youre so good to me murmured the Ensign drawing his chair closer to his hostess Are those doughnuts They are I remember once when you gave me a doughnut just after drill I can taste it yet Is that so Id forgotten it Now that I think of it you didnt but you said you would some time She laughed and pushed the plate toward him Ye gods he exclaimed sinking his white teeth into a doughnut what cooking What a woman I think Ill ask to be excused said Mackenzie rising and pushing back his chair Certainly responded the soldier with a gesture of elaborate unconcern Dont stay on my account I beg of you Think of real cream in your coffee he sighed scraping the pitcher with a spoon I could drink cream Youre not going to put in Mrs Mackenzie pointedly I know it he answered sadly I only wish I were When the last scrap of food had disappeared from the table he stopped eating but not before That makes a man feel better he announced especially a suffering and dying invalid like me Come on Forsyth Im going to take you over to the Fort for a bit It did not occur to Robert to question the mandates of this lordly being All right wait till I get my coat and hat Ill be back in a few minutes Aunt Eleanor to open school The devil you will observed Ronald as they left the house What a liar you are The path which led to the gate was well trodden early morning though it was Indian tracks said the Ensign pointing to a narrow line on the snow you can always tell em They keep their feet in single fileno company front about their walking An unpainted fence surrounded the Mackenzie premises and at the right and left of the gate were four tall Lombardy poplars two on each side Brown sparrows chattered and fought in the bare branches scorning to fly away at their approach The house had been built on a point of land which projected into the river and turned it sharply from its course Between the patches of snow the ice glittered in the sun Salubrious spot commented George as they struck the frozen surface of the stream Dont get too near that hole Its my bathtub and its weak around the edges Near the middle of the river was a large jagged space in the ice and on the snow around it were fingermarks and footprints Rather looked for you out this morning Ronald continued Was disappointed Robert shrugged his shoulders but made no reply That happy architectural combination which we now approach his guide went on professionally is Fort Dearborn Intoxicated party drew the plans and other intoxicated parties followed em I could improve it in several places but Im obliged to make the best of it The flagpole in the middle of the paradeground is seventyfive feet high though you wouldnt suspect it on account of the heroic proportions of the other buildings and it interferes most beautifully with everything Regular fort though Officers quarters barracks offices guardhouse magazine and other modern inventions Commanding officer has a palatial residence to himself The Lieutenant is supposed to live in half of it but he doesnt Those warts at the southeast and northwest corners are blockhouses made after a Chinese diagram The upper story overhangs to give a down range for musketry and keep the enemy from setting fire to the Fort The double stockade is where the genius comes in however See how it slants and balances to corners Makes the thing look like a quilt pattern Would wear on the mind of a sensitive person Hello Charley Heres where we get in You see theres a sunken road to the river and theres a subterranean passage also with a well in it which insures the watersupply in case of a siege Weve got three pieces of light artillerysixpoundersand our muskets bayonets and pistols Thats the Agency House outside Your uncle is Government Indian Agent and sutler for the garrison and trader on his own account This is where the Captain lives He pounded merrily at the door then entered unceremoniously and Robert followed him awkwardly into the room where the Captain and his wife sat at breakfast Captain Franklin was a grave silent man on the sunny side of forty who never spoke without cause and his wife was a pretty little woman with dark laughing eyes She brightened visibly when Robert was presented to her for guests did not often appear at the Fort Coffee remarked Ronald with a rising inflection Youre a lucky man Captain to have such coffee as Mrs Franklin makes every blessed morning of your life I only wish I were as fortunate he added impersonally Robert bit his lips to keep from smiling as the Ensigns wants were promptly supplied Wont you have some too Mr Forsyth No thank you Mrs Franklin Ive been to breakfast The emphasis on the personal pronoun caused George to look at him meaningly as he asked if he might have a bit of toast and an apple While he ate Mrs Franklin talked with Forsyth and the Captain listened in silence Are you going to stay she inquired Yes I hope so I am going to teach my young cousins and help my uncle in any way I can I graduated from Yale last year and went from there to Detroit but as soon as I heard that Aunt Eleanor was willing to take me in I started and got here yesterday just before the storm Did you have a pleasant journey Yes fairly so I came by way of Fort Wayne with Indian guides and relays of horses Any news asked the Captain No only the usual symptoms of discontent among the Indians The officers in Detroit think there may be another outbreak soon I donttheres no earthly reason for it Indians arent particular about reasons put in Ronald Come along Robert were going over to the Lieutenants When they entered Mrs Howard was clearing away the breakfast dishes and after the introductions were over Ronald did not hesitate to express his disappointment Get that starving kid some coffee Kit said the Lieutenant and Ronald gladly accepted the steaming cup with polite regret at the trouble he was causing and with profuse praise of the beverage itself Sugar asked Mrs Howard No thank youjust put your dainty finger in for a moment if you will be so kind Your hand would sweeten the bitterest cup man is called upon to drink Seems to me I smell pancakes He grinned appreciatively at Forsyth as Mrs Howard went to the iron griddle that swung in the open fireplace Not many he called to her six will do very nicely I dont want to be a pig You are though Forsyth assured him in an undertone Shut up he replied concisely Acting upon the suggestion Robert turned his attention to his host and they talked until the pangs of hunger were somewhat satisfied The Lieutenant and his wife followed them to the door Tell my mother Im coming over to see her this afternoon said Mrs Howard All right answered Robert Whos mother he asked when they got outside Mrs Mackenzie of course Dont you know your own relations when you see em Mrs Howard is your aunts daughter and your uncles stepdaughter so shes your cousin Cousininlaw I guess said Robert My father was Uncle Johns halfbrother so were not very closely related Shes nice though I wish she were my cousin Coffee doesnt come up to her mothers soliloquised George but its pretty good Hello Doc he shouted to a man on the opposite side of the paradeground Had your breakfast Good Heavens ejaculated Forsyth you arent going to eat again are you The Ensign turned upon him a look of reproach My rations arent meant for fullgrown men he explained If I couldnt get a bite outside occasionally Id dry up and blow away Theres a squaw down in the hollow who cooks a pretty good mess and you can get a bowl of it for a fist of beads It isnt overly clean and its my private opinion its yellow dog stewed or perhaps I should say curried but a starving man cant afford to be particular Take me some time Forsyth suggested carelessly Ive never eaten dog All right was the jovial answer well go Come on over and meet the Doc Robert was duly presented to Doctor Norton whom the soldier characterised as the pill roller of the garrison and soon seized an opportunity to ask him the exact capacity of the human stomach It varies answered the Doctor wrinkling his brows in deep thought Some people We must go George interrupted Its time for school They parted on the bank of the river Robert studiously avoiding an opportunity to shake hands When he entered the house his pupils were waiting for him The room set aside for educational purposes was just off the livingroom and a bright fire was burning on the hearth He found it difficult to teach three grades at once and soon arranged alternate study and recitation for each dismissing Maria Indiana in an hour with the first three letters of the alphabet well learned The window like the others in the house commanded a view of the river and the Fort and gave a glimpse of the boundless plains beyond Soldiers went in and out of the stockade apparently at pleasure and one or two of them came across but he looked in vain for the stalwart young officer whom he was proud to call his friend At dinnertime he inquired about the neighbours Neighbours repeated Mrs Mackenzie laughing why we havent any except at the Fort Are you and Uncle John really the only people here he asked seriously No not that There are a few houses here Mr and Mrs Burns live in onethey are our nearest neighboursand away up beyond is Lees place They dont have anything to do with us nor we with them Two or three men and a boy live there I believe but we dont see much of them Theyre part French and part Indian Chandonnais used to live with them and when we came here he came to us I guess thats one reason why they dont like us for Chans a good boy And Margaret Mrs Mackenzies face changed Poor old thing she said sadly no one knows where or how she lives We are not afraid of her but the Indians are They wouldnt touch a crazy person under any circumstances Is there a regular Indian settlement here Yes there are wigwams all along the river They are all Pottawattomies and very friendly The Chippewa and Winnebago tribes are farther north John has a gift for dealing with the Indians He has learned their language and their ways and they treat him as if he were one of them Did George show you the Fort this morning Most of it smiled Forsyth We called on the commissioned officers and that young giant ate a hearty breakfast at each place He is the life of the settlement and I dont know what wed do without him I never saw anybody with such an inexhaustible fund of good spirits Nothing is so bad that George cant get a joke out of it and make us laugh in spite of our trouble Did you see Doctor Norton Yes but only for a moment Hes jolly too and very good to all of us I forgot to tell you when I first came in said Robert but I met Mrs Howard and she asked me to tell you that she was coming over to see you this afternoon Bless her heart said Mrs Mackenzie tenderly she never forgets her old mother Youll never be old Aunt Eleanor I believe you have found the fountain of eternal youth What another flatterer she asked but the heightened colour in her cheeks showed that she was pleased During the afternoon while Johnny struggled manfully with digits and addition Robert saw Mrs Howard coming across the river She was a fair tall woman very blonde with eyes like her mothers The Doctor stood at the entrance of the stockade watching her with something akin to wistfulness in his attitude Poor soul thought Robert I expect hes lonesome The afternoon sun stole into the room marking out patches of light upon the rag carpet which covered the floor and touched the rude logs kindly as if to gild rather than to reveal In the next room womens voices sounded indistinct but pleasant with here and there a low musical laugh and the teacher fell to dreaming How many are two and two Cousin Rob Johnny asked for the third time Fourdont you remember You learned that this morning Can I go now I want to see my sister Yes run along The patter of feet died away in the distance but Robert still looked out upon the river with a smile upon his face Presently he saw Mrs Howard going toward the Fort with two of the children capering along beside her Something stirred in the dreamers pulses indefinite but none the less real What man can place it or knows it when it comesthat first vague longing for a home of his own The minutes went by and the light faded until the bloodred sunset fired the Fort and stained the snowy reaches beyond A door opened a kettle sang and some one came in Asleep dear No Aunt Eleanor He went to her put his arm around her and touched her cheek lightly with his lips I was only thinking that my lines have fallen in pleasant places CHAPTER III THE SECOND IN COMMAND Kit said the Lieutenant pacing back and forth moodily I wish I were in command I wish so too dear responded Mrs Howard dutifully Anybody with half an eye can see what is going to happen here if there isnt a change What change do you mean Ralph Any kind of a change he snapped angrily Weve got a figurehead for a Captain and the men havent the faintest idea of military training Theres no reason for postponing drill on account of bad weatherthe men havent been out for over a week now just because its cold The Captain sits by his fire studying tactics and making out imaginary reports while his men are suffering for disciplineand clothes he added as an afterthought What can Captain Franklin do about their clothes What can he do Nothing it seems but I could Id send a man to President Madison himself if there was no other way Look at us We look like Washingtons army at Valley Forge The Lieutenant brushed away an imaginary speck on a very shabby uniform Im sorry I entered the army he went on Look at this post on the edge of nowhere with about forty men to defend it I doubt if we have more than thirty in good fighting trimthe rest are worse than useless All around us are hordes of hostile savages ready to attack any or all of us on the slightest provocation and we cannot make even a display of force No target practice for fear of wasting ammunition no drill because the Captain is lazy clothes like beggarsidleness inaction sloth Three sixpounders and thirty men against thousands of bloodthirsty beasts Things were different at Fort Wayne Ralph said Mrs Howard quickly please dont say that to me again I have told you twenty times how sorry I am that I asked you to arrange to be transferred I tell you once more that we will go wherever and whenever you please to Fort Wayne Detroit or even Fort Mackinac If there is an army post in the United States where things are run to suit you please get a transfer to it You will hear no complaints from me I wanted to be near my motherthat was all Was that all he sneered I have thought otherwise You talk like a fool Kit You seem to think its the simplest thing in the world to get a transfer Do you expect to see a messenger ride in at the gate with an order from the War Department or shall I go over and tell the Captain that we leave for Fort Wayne this evening Mrs Howard moved her lips as if to speak then thought better of it and remained silent He stood at the window for a long time with his back to her You dont seem very sociable he said at length so I guess Ill go out for a bit especially as I see your friend coming I never like to intrude With this parting fling he left the house carefully avoiding Doctor Norton who was crossing the paradeground From where she sat Mrs Howard could see her husband erect and soldierly making his way to the offices During the first two years of their married life she had been very happy but since they came to live at Fort Dearborn he had been subject to occasional outbursts of temper which distressed her greatly Her face always expressive was white and troubled when she opened the door for the Doctor He understoodhe always did He was one of the few men who are not dense in their comprehension of womankind They talked commonplaces for a little while then he leaned forward and took her cold hand in his Something has bothered you he said kindly Tell me and let me help you You couldnt help me she answered sadly nobody can Doctor Norton was not more than thirtyfive but his hair was prematurely grey and this together with his kindly manner often impelled his patients to make unprofessional confidences Like many another woman too Mrs Howard was strong in the face of opposition but weak at the touch of sympathy Its nothing she said Ralph is cross nearly all the time though I dont believe he means to be He has been that way ever sinceever since the baby died She turned her face away for the little grave in the hollow pulled piteously at the mothers heartstrings when the world went wrong He has always blamed me for that she went on One of the reasons why I wanted to live here instead of at Fort Wayne was that I might have my mother to help me take care of the baby She knew more than I did was wiser and more experienced in every way and I thought the little lad would have a better chance Instead as you know he took cold on the way here and did not get well so his father has never forgiven me The tears came fast and her white lips quivered Dont Katherine he said It was the first time he had called her by name and she noted it vaguely in the midst of her suffering Dont Katherine he repeated All we can do in this world is the thing that seems to us the best We have no concern with the results except as a guide for the future and sometimes years afterward we see that what seemed like a bitter loss in reality was gain Some day you may be glad that you lost your boy Glad Glad I have lost my only child Doctor what are you thinking of Of you Whatever troubles you troubles me also You know that dont you For an instant she was frightened but his calm friendliness reassured her Thank you she returned you have always been good to me I shall always try to be Nothing that comes to you is without meaning for me and you will always have at least one friend There was an eloquent silence then the tension of the moment snapped and he released her hand Im silly she laughed hysterically wiping her eyes Have you any medicine for silliness If I had I should keep it for those who need it worse than you do I wish you would go outdoors more Walk on the paradeground and across to your mothersthose two places are certainly safeand when you get tired of that go over to Mrs Franklins Shes a nice little woman and she needs cheering up too I have a suspicion Mrs Howard that the temperament which urges a man to be a soldier is very seldom elastic enough to include the domestic hearth Katherines face brightened for she had not thought of that and the suggestion that others had the same trouble was not without its dubious consolation For an hour or more he talked to her telling her bits of news from the barracks which he thought would interest her and offering fragments of philosophy as the occasion permitted Youre a tonic she said lightly as he rose to go the blues are all gone Im glad of that Now remember when anything goes wrong tell me Perhaps I can help youat least I can try Halfway across the paradeground he turned back to smile at her as she stood at the window and she waved a friendly hand in response It was at this unlucky moment that the Lieutenant left the offices having had high words with the Captain about the condition of the garrison and the possibility of a war with England She was vaguely uneasy when he went out of his way to meet the Doctor but though he spoke to him he paused for scarcely an instant in his rapid stride He was pleasant enough when he came into the house and she thought that all was well He made no reference to their earlier conversation but talked easily and indifferently with a mild desire to please as is the way of a man who is ashamed of himself Wouldnt you like to go across the river he asked Why yes she replied wonderingly I dont mind Come on then His dark handsome face was still pale and the lines of weakness were distinct around his mouth but Katherines heart leaping to meet its desire turned newly toward him as a flower lifts its face to the sun Poor boy she said affectionately putting her hand on his arm you have lots of things to bother you dont you That I do Kit I suppose you think Im a brute sometimes No indeed she answered generously Youve been hard to get on with lately he observed Have I dear She was surprised and consciencestricken the more so because the possibility had not occurred to her Im sorry she said after a little Ill try to do better I dont think its altogether your fault he rejoined Ive noticed that you get cranky after Norton has been to the house and I think he has a bad influence over you The Lieutenant tried to speak jauntily and failed So naturally he continued clearing his throat Ive done as any other man in my position would do Ive told him not to come unless hes asked in his professional capacity and to make those visits when Im at home Ralph It was the cry of a hurt child and every vestige of colour fled from Katherines face She pressed her hands to her breast and leaned against the stockade at the entrance to the Fort Well he asked ironically have I broken your heart To think she said slowly that you could be so discourteous to any one and especially to a friend who has been so kind to us as Doctor Norton Im ashamed of you Your actions Katherine only prove that I have taken the right course If I had any doubt before I am certain now You will oblige me by avoiding him as much as possible He never called her Katherine unless he was very much displeased with her and they crossed the river without speaking Howard hummed a popular air to himself with apparent unconcern      At Mackenzies all was bustle and confusion Indians hurried in and out of the house talking and gesticulating excitedly The snow on the path was worn as smooth as ice and Chandonnais was running to the Agency building on the other side of the river What is it asked Katherine Dunno said the Lieutenant laconically When they entered John Mackenzie was as he expressed it pretty nigh beat out Robert had dismissed school and was helping him as best he could though he was heavily handicapped at the start by his ignorance of values and of the Indian tongue The space behind the counters was heaped high with furs Deer hide and moose leather grey wolf red and silver fox muskrat beaver and bear skins were stacked waist deep around Forsyth and Mackenzie Unwonted activity was in the air and the place was full of odorous Indians Black Partridge came in bringing the skin of a gigantic black bear and a murmur ran through the room Members of other tribes fingered it enviously and the Pottawattomie squaws openly boasted the prowess of their chief Chandonnais came in from the Agency with a huge ham under either arm He went back laden with peltries and when he returned he was rolling a fresh barrel of flour before him His face was set in an expression of extreme displeasure for he was constitutionally opposed to work Can I help asked Lieutenant Howard Wish youd go over to the Agency Ralph replied Mackenzie and bring over as many blankets as you can carry Chan will go with youhes got to bring more bacon Mrs Howard had long since retreated to the livingroom The door was closed but the tumult of the trading station resounded afar Be careful Rob said Mackenzie thats a sheep skin dyed with walnut juice He tried it on you cause youre green Turning to the Indian the trader spoke volubly even after the wouldbe cheat had grabbed his sheep skin and started for the door This jawbreaker talk is tellin on me Mackenzie resumed This is the first time theyve ever come on me all at once this way Mighty sudden I take it Its early too Usually they do their tradin on the QT one and two at a time weeks before They say this is the last day of Winter and that tomorrow will be Spring Chandonnais and the Lieutenant returned laden with bacon and blankets The halfbreed wiped the sweat from his swarthy face with a very dirty sleeve and Howard made no further offers of assistance Instead he went over to Forsyth and began to talk with him Whats going on asked Robert do you know Ralph shrugged his shoulders They havent taken me into their confidence he replied but I suppose its the annual pilgrimage Where What for Didnt Father John tell you Every year they go up into Canada to get their presents from the British Damn the British he added with unnecessary emphasis Oh said Robert thoughtfully In case of trouble then the Indians are on their side Exactly Quite a scheme isnt it Its a devilish scheme Be careful warned Mackenzie some of em understand more English than they let on The trading fever rapidly spread to the squaws Those who were not bringing furs for exchange and carrying provisions back to the camp offered moccasins and baskets for sale Mackenzie shook his headhe had no use for anything but the skins Under cover of the excitement much petty thieving was going on and it was necessary to keep close watch of the peltries lest they be exchanged again The squaws kept keen eyes on the counters making off with anything desirable which was left unguarded Chandonnais took a place at the door finally to call a halt upon illegal enterprises Without the least knowledge of why he did it Robert bought a pair of moccasins They were small even for a womans foot and heavy with beads The dainty things appealed to him suddenly and irresistibly and the price he paid for them brought other squaws with countless moccasins Uncle John he shouted above the clamour please tell them I dont want any more moccasins A few rapid words from Shawneawkee had the desired effect Dont see what you want of those things he observed they wont fit anybody Pretty things remarked Howard sauntering up Whom are they for IIthat is I dont know stammered Robert I just wanted them The Lieutenant laughed Oh I see he said Another case of Cinderellas slipper Yes well let it go at that returned Forsyth He had regained his selfpossession but the colour still bronzed his cheeks When every possible exchange had been made and every Indian had been given a small additional present the room became quiet again Black Partridge received a small silver ornament which Mackenzie had made for him during the long winter evenings with manifestations of delight and gratitude Whats he saying Uncle asked Robert Hes swearing eternal friendship for me and mine Much good that does said Howard nonchalantly Id trust a dead Indian a damn sight sooner n a live one Black Partridge may have caught the gist of what had been said but he repeated his expressions of gratitude and his assurances of continued esteem The room by contrast was very silent after he went out Lord sighed the trader What a day Mrs Mackenzies voice sounded clearly in the next room Yes dear she said Ill tell him and Ill explain it all Dont you fret one mite about it Then the door opened and Mrs Howard came in She talked with Forsyth for a few minutes then turned to her husband Shall we go home she asked or do you want to stay here for supper Better stay suggested Mackenzie hospitably No well go said Ralph Goodbye everybody Neither spoke until they entered their own house again then Katherine put her hands on his shoulders and looked straight into his eyes Ralph she said seriously cant you trust me I hope so he returned drawing away from her and as Ive fixed it now I think I can Ralph she cried you hurt me Look here he exclaimed roughly I dont want any more of this I have trouble enough without your pitching into me all the time This is my house and you are my wifeplease remember that Theres no danger of my forgetting it she answered hotly Come Kit do be reasonable I dont want to quarrel She smiled cynically and bit her lips to keep back the retort that struggled for utterance Whatever you do her mother had said to her dont quarrel with your husband It takes two to make a quarrel Later a semblance of peace was restored but long after the Lieutenant was asleep Katherine lay wideeyed and troubled with bitterness surging in her heart From the window of her room she saw the late moon when it rose from the lake and soon afterward the clock struck three Then a ghostly pageant passed the Fort Black Partridge was aheadshe knew his stately figure in spite of the blanket in which he was enshrouded Behind him came more Indians than she had ever seen at one time silently in single file The squaws brought up the rear laden with baggage The last one was heavily burdened and was far behind As she straggled along the pale moonlight revealed something strange upon her head and Katherine recognised her own discarded summer hat of two seasons past The implied comparison made her laugh in a way which was not good to hearbut no one heard Across the river another watcher was taking note of the departure of the Pottawattomies for Robert had found it impossible to sleep Physically he was too tired to rest and his mind was unusually active The dainty moccasins hung on the wall of his room and something obtrusively feminine in their presence was in a way disturbing but not altogether unpleasant The young man was somewhat given to analysis and introspection and had endeavoured unsuccessfully to solve the freakish impulse which led him to buy moccasins too small for any woman he knew Further questioning of self brought out the astounding fact that he would not give moccasins to any woman he had ever met even though these might fit her The Indians passing the Fort were a welcome diversion and he too laughed at the one who followed the procession with more than her share of baggage but he missed the fine point in the matter of millinery She looks like the one I bought them of he said to himself but I wont be sure The moon faded and grey dawn came up out of the inland sea A ribbon of light lay across the Fort and the pulses of the river stirred beneath the ice The blood came to his heart like the sap mounting in the maples and he felt a sudden uplift of soul A bluebird paused over the river for an instant the crimson of its breast strangely luminous against the sky then from a distant thicket came the first robins cheery call and he knew the Indians were rightthat it was Spring CHAPTER IV RONALDS VIEWS OF MARRIAGE Mrs Howard was trying to sew but seemed to lack the necessary energy The Lieutenant paced the room in his favourite attitudehands crossed behind his backand gave her his views upon various topics from the mistakes of the War Department at Washington to the criminal mismanagement of Captain Franklin He became so interested in this last subject that he spoke as if addressing a large audience happily unmindful of the fact that his single listener was preoccupied Upon my word Kit he was saying there isnt a man in barracks who wouldnt make a better Captain than the one weve got His wife is coming remarked Katherine impersonally I dont care if she is Somebody ought to tell him where he stands in the estimation of the officers and men His disapproval of his superior officer was reflected in his cool response to Mrs Franklins cheery greeting when she came in with her sewing Ive got something for you she said to Katherine guess what it is I couldnt guesswhat is it A letter she answered brightly from Doctor Norton You arent jealous are you she asked playfully turning to the Lieutenant He made no reply but gnawed his mustache nervously Katherines face blanched as she took the note and tore it open with trembling hands There was neither date address nor signature I understand it began and everything is all right I beg of you do not distress yourself about me and if I can ever serve you in any way command me The words danced before her eyes as the Lieutenant approached and held out his hand silently for the letter Its nothing that would interest you dear she said tearing it straight across Pardon me I think it would He quickly possessed himself of the note and fitted the two parts of the page together laughing as he did so Only Katherine noticed that his voice shook If youre through with it Ill burn it he said quietly after what seemed an age Without waiting for an answer he threw it into the open fire and hurriedly left the house Then something dawned on Mrs Franklin Kit she cried can you ever forgive me What did you think retorted Katherine fiercely Would he have sent a note to me if he had meant it for my husband Why didnt he come over instead of writing I dont know murmured Mrs Franklin For the moment she was afraid and as the inevitable surmise forced itself into her consciousness she gazed at Katherine horrorstricken and dumb I know what youre thinking said Mrs Howard with forced calmness Its very charitable of you but Im glad to be able to tell you that youre mistaken You poor child exclaimed the Captains wife She slipped a friendly hand into Katherines cold one and was not surprised when the overwrought nerves sought relief in tears Little by little Katherine made a full explanation Its too small and too silly to talk about she sighed but I havent been well lately and the slightest thing will worry me almost past endurance I dont know whats the matter with Ralphhe is not at all like himself and that troubles me too Funny observed Mrs Franklin irrelevantly Whats funny Men in general and husbands in particular Wallace isnt inclined to be jealous so Ive never had that to bother me but hes as stubborn as a mule and I guess thats just as bad Anyhow Id like to trade his stubbornness for something else Id appreciate the change for a little while no matter what it was I wouldnt mind that said Katherine with the ghost of a smile hovering around her white lips I think I could get along better with a stubborn man than I can with a savage Be careful what you say about savages put in the other lightly you know my aunt is a fullblooded Indian Ive often wondered about that How do you suppose it happened It is rather queer on the face of it but its natural enough when you think it over You know Captain Wells was stolen by the Indians when he was a child and he was brought up like one of them Even after his people found him he refused to go home until his two sisters came to plead with him Then he consented to make them a visit but he didnt stay long and went back to the Indians at the first opportunity Their ways were as impossible to him as his were to them Im glad he married the chiefs daughter instead of a common squaw He and Little Turtle are great friends There was a long silence then Katherine reverted to the original topic I never thought of Captain Franklin as stubborn she said Didnt you Well I just wish you could talk to him a while after he gets his mind made up Before that theres hope but not afterward and you might just as well go out and speak to the stockade around the Fort Hes contrary too Yesterday for instance he told me he thought hed have drill as the men hadnt been out for a long time I asked him if some of them werent sick and he said they were but it wouldnt hurt the others any Just then your husband came in and suggested drill Havent thought about it says Wallace turning away and the Lieutenant talked ten minutes before he discovered nobody was listening to him After he went away George came in and asked about drill We wont have it today said Wallace and that was the end of it Was he like that before you were married Yes only not so bad I mistook his determined siege for inability to live without me but I see now that it was principally stubbornness He made up his mind to get me and here I am He gets worse as he grows oldermore sot in his ways as your mother would say I dont see how anybody can be that way He explained it to me once when we were first married but I couldnt understand it How did he explain it Well as nearly as I can remember he said that he dreaded to have his mind begin making itself up Its like a runaway horse that you cant stop He said he might see that he was wrong and he might want to do differently but something inside of him wouldnt let him It seems that his mind suddenly crystallises and then its over A crystal can be broken but it cant be made liquid again Is his mind liquid inquired Katherine choked with laughter NoI wish it was Im glad youre amused but Im too close to it to see the fun in it Wasnt your husband ever stubborn No I dont think soat least I dont remember I suppose he cant help being jealous any more than the Captain can help being mulish I guess theyre just born so Marked suggested Mrs Franklin Yesmarked I hadnt thought of that Before we were married Ralph was jealous of everybody who spoke to meman woman or brute I couldnt even pet the cat or talk to the dog Matrimonial traits observed the Captains wife sagely are the result of prenuptial tendencies If you look carefully into the subject before youre married you can see about what youre coming to I guess thats right I neednt have expected marriage to cure Ralph of jealousy but like you I supposed it was love My dear said Mrs Franklin with feeling many a woman mistakes the flaws in a mans character for the ravages of the tender passionbefore marriage Well I never said a soft voice behind them Kitty and Mamie talking scandal Both women jumped How did you get in demanded Mrs Howard Came in replied Ronald laconically Dont you know enough to rap asked Mrs Franklin angrily Like others who have been christened Mary she was irritated beyond measure at that meaningless perversion of her name Did rap answered George selecting the most comfortable chair but nobody heard me so I let myself in How dare you call me Kitty exclaimed Mrs Howard Soldiers arent afraid of anything except the War Department How long have you been here they asked simultaneously Dont all speak at once Ive been here a long long timeso long in fact that Im hungry He looked past them as he spoke and gazed pensively out of the window Mrs Franklins cheeks were blazing and her eyes snapped Youre the very worst man I ever met she said The Ensign sighed heavily And yet Ive never been accused of mulishness he remarked rolling his eyes toward the ceiling nor of jealousy he added His mouth was twitching and the women exchanged glances I admit an enormous appetite he continued Wonder if its the ravages of the tender passion Mrs Howard brought in a plate of cookies and set it ostentatiously within his reach Lovely woman apostrophised George She feeds me Radiant vision will you be mine There was a dead silence Queer isnt it observed the guest between mouthfuls and apparently to himself that women should look so pretty when theyre mad Your wife will be pretty all the time then said Mrs Franklin I trust so Shell have to have a good start at it or she wont get me and with the additional stimulus which living with me will give her shell be nearly as lovely as the wives of the other officers at Fort Dearborn I could give her no higher praise These cookies are all gone I know it replied Mrs Howard I gave you all I had left If I might presume said Ronald Id like the prescription they were made by to give to my wife when I get one I suppose its more in the making than in the prescription and though Ill undoubtedly like em my native love of truth will oblige me to tell her that they dont come up to those Kittypardon me Mrs Howardused to make for me I always think of you by your first name he went on I know its wrong but I cant help it Youre so good to me Isnt there one more cooky No there isnt Your mother makes surpassing doughnuts Did she ever teach you how Oh yes responded Mrs Howard coolly but I dont make them very often I havent made any for months I have the plan of em all written down in case you should forget how Im saving it for my wife Can I go and look in the pantry No you cannot Why dont you get married George asked Mrs Franklin by way of a diversion Ive never been asked Didnt you ever ask anybody Oh Lord yes Ive asked every girl Ive ever met Say do you know that Ive got so now that I can propose offhand as easily as other fellows can after theyve written it out and learned it If there was a girl here at the Fort who suited me Id ask everybody to my wedding inside of two weeks Charming diffidence murmured Katherine Modest soul commented Mrs Franklin What kind of a girl would suit you I like the domestic variety The faithful kind you know One who wouldnt gad all the time Good cook and that sort of thing Some Indian girlbegan the Captains wife I know interrupted George pointedly that runs in some families but it never has in ours Wouldnt mind an Indian aunt maybe after I got used to her but a motherinlawLord Mrs Franklin was angry for an instant then she laughed It was impossible for any one to harbour resentment against Ronald I dont think I could ever love an ordinary girl that intrepid youth resumed with a daredevil light in his eyes Shed have to be very superior Lots of girls get married without any clear idea of what it means For instance while I was working day and night trying to earn board and clothes for a woman I wouldnt like to have her trot over to her friends house to discuss my faults If thats marriage I wont enlist You havent any faults put in the Captains wife sweetly There would be nothing to discuss True Mamie I had forgotten that Thank you for reminding me of my perfection But you know what I mean As soon as I got out of sight of the house shed gallop over to her friends and her friend would say Goodmorning Mrs Ronald you dont look fit this morning What has that mean thing done to you now Throwing himself thoroughly into the part the Ensign got up and proceeded to give an elaborate monologue in falsetto punctuated with mincing steps and frequent rearrangement of an imaginary coiffure Mrs Howard clasped her hands at her waist and the tears rolled down Mrs Franklins cheeks And then shed say Ronald went on Just suppose you had to live with a mulish jealous man who wouldnt give you more than nine dresses and eleven bonnets and four pairs of shoes Yes thats just what the horrid thing has done And this morning when I asked for money to get a few clothes so I could look more respectable he gave me some but I caught him keeping back fiftytwo cents Now what do you think of that Do you suppose hes going to take a lot of men out and get em all drunk The entrance of Captain Franklin put an end to the inspired portrayal of wifely devotion As Katherine had said he did not look stubborn On the contrary he seemed to be the mildest sort of a man for he was quiet and unobtrusive in manner His skin was very white and the contrast of his jetblack hair and mustache made him look pale Did you tell them the news he asked Ronald Pon my word Captain I havent had time Theyve been chattering so ever since I came in that Im nearly deaf with it You tell em I dont know as youd call it news said the Captain but we cant afford to ignore any incident out here A Kickapoo runner has come in from the Illinois River and he says the packtrains are about to start from there and from the Kankakee and that they will be here soon Its an early Spring remarked Mrs Franklin Im glad said Katherine I love to be outdoors and the Winters in this lonesome little Fort are almost unbearable What asked Ronald with me here Drill tomorrow said the Captain turning to his subordinate The Ensign saluted gravely but made no reply The Captain lingered a few moments listening while the others talked Are you going home Mary he asked Yes after a while Ill go now if you want me to No never mind Ive got some things to see to Now that observed Ronald as the Captain closed the door is what I call a true marriage In what way asked Mrs Franklin This deference to a husbands evident wishes It might have happened to me Lonesome George comes into the sewing circle and his glad eyes rest on the wife of his bosom Talk to the crowd a little while and get everybody to feeling good even though Im on the verge of starvation Then I say Darling are you going back to our humble little home and she says Yes George dear when I get good and readybyebye Mrs Franklin was eager to ask Katherine how much of their conversation she supposed he had overheard but he seemed very comfortable where he was and at last she folded up her work and went home the Ensign bidding her an affectionate farewell at the door and extending a generous invitation to come again There Kitty he sighed at last we are alone It has seemed so long Katherine turned upon him a look which would have frozen a lesser man than Ronald Please call me Mrs Howard she requested icily I cant Why not Well some way it makes me feel as if you were married and I cant stand it to be constantly reminded of my loss Mrs Lieutenant is better cause Im a lieutenant in a way myself but its too long I suppose I can say Mrs Loot if you insist upon formality I came to you with a message and that is why I have braved your unjust wrath Your mother sent me to ask you and your husband to come over to supper Ive seen him and hes willing Shes been making doughnuts all the afternoon and I think theres a pie or two so get your bonnet and come along Come along repeated Katherine Yes come along Im going too Does she know it I think she suspects it If she doesnt the pleasure will have the additional charm of a surprise Theres the Lieutenant now Well all go together They met on the paradeground and she put her hand on her husbands arm timidly but he did not draw away from her as she had feared he would and she became intuitively conscious that he had determined to say nothing about the unlucky note The sun shone brightly and the March wind swept the cobwebs from her mental vision Ralph said very little but Ronald who never required the encouragement of an answer talked unceasingly and it seemed to Katherine that the world was sunny and full of friends CHAPTER V THE FIRST FLOWER OF SPRING There was a report like a pistol shot from the ice in the river followed by others at short intervals That means for us to get out the boats said Mackenzie to Chandonnais Only one of the boats stored in the traders barn was worthy of the name It was a large bateau capable of accommodating a dozen people and a small amount of baggage The others were pirogues or logs trimmed at the ends and hollowed out in the centre One person might be negatively comfortable but two crowded the small craft to the dangerpoint A pirogue furnished the ordinary means of communication with the Fort and two or three were fastened to a sapling on the other side of the stream There was also a good boat belonging to the Fort which would hold five or six people The bateau was used for carrying freight between the Fort the Agency House and Mackenzies The river was a narrow deep weedy channel with a very slight fall and a large sandbar stretched across the mouth of it In Summer one could stand at the end of the broad piazza in front of the house and see the Indians in their light canoes pass the sandbar at will go down into the lake and return upstream Gradually the river filled with great masses of ice which moved lazily in a circle at the whim of some concealed current or drifted gently toward the mouth of the stream For several days there was no communication with the Fort then Mackenzie broke the icejam at the bar and by the middle of March a boat could easily cross Seemingly by preconcerted arrangement the packtrains arrived during the last week of March Twenty horses came from the Illinois and Kankakee districts and seventeen from the Rock River loaded with skins For a year the Indians in the Mississippi valley had exchanged peltries for provisions beads and liquor Five Canadian engags with rude camping outfits strapped to their backs walked in leisurely fashion beside the horses The skins were stored in the Agency House awaiting the schooner from the American Fur Company at Fort Mackinac The horses were tethered on the plains near the Fort and business was carried on there except at mealtime when eight hungry men and four children taxed Mrs Mackenzies strength to the utmost Three days later the schooner was sighted bearing down from the north and as it was practically the only event of the year the settlement went in force to the lake shore to see it come in A corporals guard bitterly complaining was left at the Fort With the wind filling her sails the ship steered southwest until she reached a point exactly opposite the mouth of the river then turned swiftly like a bird and came toward the cheering crowd on shore The waves broke in foam upon her keel and amid the shouts of command and welcome and the clatter of the rigging came the song of a voyageur in a clear high tenor which won a separate recognition More men to feed sighed Mrs Mackenzie Never mind Aunt Eleanor said Forsyth Im going to help you Me too Me too cried the children Mrs Howard and Mrs Franklin promptly offered their services and Ronald put an affectionate arm about her waist Dont bother Aunt Eleanor he said youve got me Forsyth was surprised at the speech and still more astonished when the Ensign made it good during the hard days that followed He tied a big blue apron under his arms unmindful of its ridiculous flapping about his knees set his cap on the back of his head rolled up his sleeves and announced that he was ready for work Forsyth helped him split wood bring water make fires and wash dishes until his head swam with weariness but through it all Ronald was serene and untroubled keeping up a cheery whistle and a fusillade of comment and observation which lightened the situation exceedingly Mrs Mackenzie found herself taking orders from the young soldier who was the selfconstituted master of the cuisine and learned to obey without question even when she was sent to her easychair early in the morning and kept there during the greater part of the day Mrs Howard and Mrs Franklin were unceremoniously put out Kitty and Mamie pleaded the Ensign in an aggravating falsetto will you please run home Your mother has enough to feed without your trotting in to meals He accompanied the request with a threatening wave of a spoon filled with pancake batter which had the desired effect There he said Ive finally chased em out I do hate to have women bothering around me dont you Rob Ive never been bothered laughed Forsyth at least not in that way Swiftly upon the heels of the schooner came the boats from Milwaukee The cargoes were landed on the lake shore and taken to the Agency by the packhorses All day the patient beasts plodded to and fro carrying furs to the shore and provisions blankets calicoes prints and a thousand other things to the storehouse The small boats from the ship plied back and forth landing the cargo and taking back peltries and the men worked from sunrise to sunset An unusual amount of friction developed between the several engags and voyageurs and various disputes were settled on the spot with bare fists Chandonnais had a rare talent for getting into trouble and few indeed were the fights in which he did not eventually take a leading part Chan said Mackenzie at length you aint paid to fight but to work and if theres any more of this Ill send you to one of the other posts This threat was always effectual for some reason which the trader did not seek to know At last the tired horses finished their task and every skin was in the hold of the schooner The Agency House was filled to bursting with the materials of trade and a small but precious horde of gold pieces representing the balance in his favour was hidden in Mackenzies leather belt There was a day of rest for everybody except Mrs Mackenzie and her assistants then Chandonnais surprised the trader by a demand for his years wages Why Chan exclaimed Mackenzie dont you want me to keep it for you as Ive been adoing The halfbreed shook his head sullenly Well its yours and you can do just as you please with it but I guess youll be sorry for it later Mind now this is all till next yearyou dont get any advance Chan agreed and Mackenzie called Robert to witness the transaction Five shining tendollar gold pieces were counted out into a grimy paw that closed upon them quickly as if in fear Fifty dollars and found Mackenzie explained to Robert as Chandonnais went away I dont grudge it neither for hes a good boy when he aint fighting The schooner was lying by for a favouring wind and the packtrains were waiting to give the horses a needed rest Mackenzie had made an equitable division of the stores at the Agency and each of the engags knew exactly what he was to take back with him and the approximate value of each article in terms of peltries During the day liquor flowed freely and at night there was a barbecue on the lake shore A young ox was roasted whole in front of a huge fire which could be seen for miles around Forsyth and the Mackenzies with their four children and the officers and men from the Fort with their wives and families sat around on the sand and took part in the celebration A single sentinel patrolled the Fort cursing his luck and a few stray Indians watched the festive scene from afar Chandonnais had his violin and the fine tenor of the voyageur was lifted in songold French chansons and garbled melodies of the day The strings of the fiddle were twanged in delicate accompaniment until the singer struck up Yankee Doodle which owing to the French accent and the peculiar distortion of the tune was taken by the company as a humorous performance The men ate hungrily and at last even Ronald was satisfied Then a sudden thought struck him and he went over to speak to Captain Franklin Goodbye everybody he shouted Where are you going asked Forsyth Im going back to relieve that poor devil at the Fort In spite of a chorus of protests he went and the lone sentry appeared presently grinning from ear to ear to feast and revel while his superior officer kept guard with a bayonet over his shoulder It was such trifles as this which endeared Ronald to the soldiers There was not a man in barracks who would not have followed him cheerfully to certain death The fire died down and some of the men slept peacefully on the sand while others yawned openly Chandonnais improvised a weird melody which was strangely out of keeping There was something uncanny in the air which accorded ill with the festival and it seemed only fitting and proper when Mad Margaret materialised from the outer darkness and came into the centre of the group A hush came over the company and some of the newcomers who had heard wild tales of Margaret were secretly afraid Chandonnais kept on playing and she watched him with wide wondering eyes For a long time the magic of the strings kept her quiet then she began to mutter to herself uneasily Margaret said Mackenzie gently come here Chandonnais threw down his violin with a gesture of impatience beckoned to the singer and walked away rapidly The voyageur rose lazily yawned and followed him with seeming indifference Margarets eyes were shining like the live coals which gleamed in the ashes She leaned forward and picked up the violin stroking it and crooning to it as if it were a child Margaret said Mackenzie again come here She went to him with a doglike unquestioning obedience and sat down in front of him Mrs Mackenzie was next to her husband with the baby in her lap and Mrs Howard sat on her mothers left The Lieutenant was talking with Forsyth and the Captain and at a little distance on Mackenzies right sat Doctor Norton A sharp cry came from the violin where Margarets fingers tightened on the strings I see blood she saidmuch blood then fire and afterward peace No one spoke and Margaret mumbled to herself then pounced upon Katherine She took her by the shoulders and shook her roughly You will have your hearts desire she cried at the time of the blood but sorrow will come with it Before any one else had time to move Doctor Norton caught Margaret and pulled her away Oh she shrieked shaking her fist in his face the Red Death has its fingers at your throat Mackenzie picked up the violin found the bow in the darkness and began to playrudely enough it is true but in some semblance of rhythm Margaret quieted almost immediately and sat down in front of him rocking back and forth in time with the faltering tune Aunt Eleanor said Forsyth over her shoulder dont you think Id better take the children home Yes please if you will She put the sleeping baby into his arms woke Maria Indiana and directed Ellen and Johnny to go with Cousin Rob The procession moved slowly for the baby was heavy and the other children were inclined to linger Mad Margaret had a terrible fascination for them As they passed a grove of cottonwoods angry voices came from the thicket in a mongrel French which had but little in common with that Robert had learned at Yale It is abominable cried Chandonnais It is too much So laughed the other mockingly and only last year you told me you would pay the price A years wages for a common crucifix It is no common crucifix It is of solid silver and it is from the old mission where it was blessed by Pre Marquette himself How do you know The good Father told me so It has been blessed by Pre Marquette and by all the holy men who have come after him It will cure disease and keep from all harm Well sighed Chandonnais Ill take it Robert heard the clink of the halfbreeds hardearned gold and wondered whether he had spent the whole of it for a cross The next day the prevailing wind of Summer blew warm and strong from the southwest and the sails of the schooner filled as if in anticipation Robert thought of the hardy Romans in the neid when the breezes called their sails as once again the people gathered on the shore Letters and messages to friends at Fort Mackinac together with many trifling gifts were pressed upon the crew A long line of foam lay upon the turquoise water when out in the sunlit distance the ship turned to the north and hands were waved in farewell long after the others had ceased to see The Mackenzies were glad it was over even though a long year was to pass without communication with the outside world but others were sorry Chandonnais was noncommittal and hummed to himself the song of the voyageur The packtrains were loaded the patient horses bending under a heavier burden than they had brought the boats started to Milwaukee after all of the engags had been given another round of liquor and a packtrain followed them north on land The others silhouetted against the setting sun went west over the unbroken prairie the drowsy tinkle of the bells died away in a silvery murmur and peace lay on Fort Dearborn      At the end of the week there was a diversion which was entirely unexpectedas most real diversions contrive to be Mrs Mackenzie was in the garden planting flower seeds when soft footsteps sounded on the bare earth beside her and a sweet voice said How do you do Aunt Eleanor Why Beatrice exclaimed Mrs Mackenzie kissing her warmly Where did you come from From Fort Wayne with Captain Wellshes across the river I rowed over by myself I was so afraid youd see me coming and wouldnt be surprised My dear Im so glad Maybe you wont be when I tell you Ive come to live with you Aunt Eleanor That makes me happier still said Mrs Mackenzie in her stately way You are welcome Thank you Aunty but I havent come to be a burden to you and I trust I never shall be If Im ever a trouble I want you to tell me so and send me away In the first place I have fought most terribly with my aunt and uncle at Fort Wayne They dont know Ive come Why my dear How could you Oh they know it now said Beatrice laconically with her head on one side If they dont the suspense will do them good Anyhow they know Im not there and thats enough You know I have a little income of my own Aunty so Im not dependent upon any one and Im going to pay my board If you wont let me she continued warningly seeing disapproval on Mrs Mackenzies kindly face Im going back with Captain Wells tomorrow so now Ill let you do anything you want to dear if youll only stay with me I have needed a grown daughter ever since Katherine was married Then its all arranged and Ill stay with you for ever I know I never could fight with you Here comes your uncle The trader beamed with delight when Beatrice cast herself upon him and kissed him twice Ive come to live with you she said and Ive just fixed it with Aunt Eleanor Captain Wells is over at the Fort with the soldiers We brought ten with usit was quite an army and the Captain kept up military discipline all along the trail with me for First Lieutenant Theyre going to stay at the Fort and Im going to stay here She pirouetted around him in high spirits Youre welcome Bee but how did it happen I fought explained Beatrice carelessly They told me what I should do and what I shouldnt Nobody ever says must to me If you ever want me to do anything youll have to say please Would you mind going over to the Fort after my things Uncle Ive got a big box with all my worldly goods inside of it Mackenzie went for men always did as Beatrice suggested Come in dear said her aunt You can have the east room so youll get the morning sun How sweet you are Aunt Eleanor murmured the girl with her arm thrown around the others shoulders for she was even taller than Mrs Mackenzie Her face had the deep creamy tint which sometimes goes with violet eyes and brown hair with auburn lights in it Beneath a short nose tilted ever so slightly was the most bewitching mouth in the worldsmall and perfect in shape dangerously curved and full of a daring coquetry When she smiled one saw that her teeth were small and white and absolutely even but soon forgot that minor detail At first glance no one would have called her pretty she was like something beautiful which must be studied before it is appreciated The arrival of the visitor had effectually broken up the school Tuzzin Bee Tuzzin Bee crowed Maria Indiana delightedly You darling cried Beatrice catching the child in her arms have you remembered me a whole year Robert was introduced as a cousin on the other side of the house and he bent gravely over the girls hand Are we truly cousins she asked There was a confused silence then Robert found his tongue I trust we are he said with the air of a gentleman of the old school for you are the first flower of Spring The door burst open and Ronald entered What do you think he shouted weve got troops Captain Wells has brought ten soldiers to the Fort Miss Manning said Mrs Mackenzie let me present Ensign George Ronald of Fort Dearborn Beatrice bowed but he stared at her for an instant then brought his heels together and raised his hand to his forehead in military salute There was an awkward instant then the deep crimson dyed the Ensigns face He turnedand bolted From the window Beatrice saw him in a pirogue pulling back to the Fort as if his life depended upon it then she laugheda deep sweet vibrant laugh that thrilled Robert to the very depths of his soul CHAPTER VI COUSINS Aunty said Beatrice at breakfast the next morning do you think I scared him to death What do you mean dear Why that young manyesterday Mr Ronald is his name isnt it Mrs Mackenzie laughed at the memory of the Ensigns scarlet face I think hell get over it she said dont you Rob I certainly do Hes the last man in the world to be afraid of a woman Oh yes hell recover put in Mackenzie significantly I think its lovely here observed Beatrice irrelevantly and I know Im going to like it Were going to try very hard to make you happy said Forsyth with evident sincerity Ive wanted to live with Aunt Eleanor ever since last Spring when they all came to Fort Wayne Otherwise I wouldnt have fought That is perhaps I wouldnt Rising from the table she went out on the piazza and Robert instinctively followed her If the long journey on horseback had tired her she showed no sign of it for she might have been a part of the morning as she stood there smiling with the sunlight on her windblown hair The heavy brown coil with auburn lights and black shadows in it had a strange fascination for Forsyth He liked the way her hair grew around her forehead and temples and the little curl that escaped at her neck She was looking away from him and he thought her unaware of his scrutiny till she said quietly Well how do you like your new cousin Do you think I will do Yes he stammered dimly grateful for the impulse that kept her face still turned away that is very much How am I going to get my horse over here she demanded suddenly What horse asked Robert stupidly The one I rode from Fort Wayne of course Did I understand you to say you had been to college Yes I graduated Really Beatrice turned upon him a dazzling smile I never should have thought it she added pleasantly Where is your horse he asked crimsoning You dont see it anywhere do you Nno Then obviously its at the Fort isnt it II suppose so Well then were making progress Now how do I get it over here Swim said Robert helplessly at his wits end Beatrice stamped her small foot upon the piazza Uncle John she called come here How is Queen coming across the river she asked when he appeared Well now Bee I dont know Theres no bridge and no way to go around Shell either have to come in a boat or swim Robert flashed a grateful glance at him but said nothing She wont get into a boat said Beatrice with a puzzled little frown on her face We swam a river together once but she didnt like it and we both got wet Go down near the bar and come across suggested Forsyth having partially recovered his selfpossession It cant be very deep there No but the sand is soft Better leave her at the Fort Bee and you can go over there when you want her Its safer he added The Indians might get her out of my barn but shell be all right in the garrison stables That settles it replied Beatrice Here comes Captain Wells An erect soldierly figure came up the path with the characteristic walk of the Indian His eyes were small and dark and his face was bronzed like the people among whom he had lived but when he smiled at Beatrice and bowed with mock humility all traces of the savage were instantly effaced He wore the rough garb of the plainsman and the only suggestion of vanity was in the black ribbon that tied his queue Mackenzie he said I warn you You have a tyrannical commanderinchief Beatrice pouted prettily Im sorry for Uncle John she said but its too late to help him now Ive come for keeps All the time he was speaking Captain Wellss piercing glance was fixed upon Forsyth to whom he had just been introduced but of whom he had heard at the Fort and the young man grew vaguely uncomfortable Your pardon sir said Captain Wells I fear the manners of the prairie seem strange to a gentleman of culture My only excuse is that your face interests me Come on over to the Fort Cousin Rob suggested Beatrice with ready tact and Ill introduce you to Queen They dont want us here anyhow Together they climbed into the pirogue in which Captain Wells had crossed the river and with some difficulty reached the opposite shore Ronald was standing at the entrance talking with the sentinel and when he saw them coming he went toward the barracks with more haste than dignity Forsyth laughed but Beatrice held her head high and a faint flush stole into her cheeks Where are the stables Cousin Rob This way Roberts involuntary gasp of admiration at the sight of Queen instantly placed him high in his fair cousins favour Isnt she a beauty she asked The little black mare whinnied joyously at the approach of her young mistress prancing and curvetting prettily in spite of her halter Poor dear said Beatrice you arent used to being tied are you She led the horse out on the paradeground and exclaimed with pleasure at the satin smoothness of the glossy coat The grooms had done their work well and stood around grinning broadly while she praised them The mare might have hailed from the blue grass country so perfect were her lines She was built for speed as well as beauty and the small black hoofs pawed the ground impatiently as she rubbed her velvet nose against her owners cheek by way of a caress There isnt any sugar Queen laughed the girl and I just came to say goodmorning Well have some rides on the prairie together said Robert My horse isnt much compared with yours but he used to get along pretty well on the roads back East Arent there any roads here I havent discovered any but the prairie isnt bad Come on out now said Beatrice and Ill show you what she can do As they passed the barracks Robert was dimly aware of Ronalds scrutiny from some safe point of observation but Beatrice chattered merrily until they reached the open space beyond the Fort A convenient stump stood near by and she led the mare to it Now then Beauty she said In an instant she was mounted on Queens bare back and there ensued an exhibition of horsemanship that would have put a cavalryman to shame Some of the soldiers came out to see the mare change her gait at a word from her rider and turn readily with neither bit nor bridle The pins dropped one by one from the girls hair and when she turned out on the open plain for a final gallop it streamed out behind her as Atalantas may have done when she made her last race Beatrice was riding like the wind She went straight on until she was scarcely a speck upon the horizon then circled back gradually Queen was on her mettle and no dame of high degree ever held her head more proudly than the little black mare with the tossing mane With a last turn she came toward the Fort straight as an arrow and stopped so suddenly at the word that she was thrown back upon her haunches The girl slipped to the ground laughing and flushed Oh she cried that was glorious wasnt it Queen Im proud of my cousin was all Forsyth said but there was a volume of meaning in the tone A groom led the horse away to be rubbed down and Beatrice began a fruitless search for the lost hairpins in which Robert refused to join her Dont put it up he pleaded you look so much prettier with it down I cant anyway she said I havent a single pin The heavy mass of brown and auburn hung far below her waist rippling ever so slightly and ending in a curl A pink flush was on her face and her eyes were dancing Come she continued theyre talking about me over there and I know it She had hit upon the truth for the Mackenzies were having an animated conference with Captain Wells I never suspected there was any trouble he was saying and she didnt mention it She was waiting for us a piece up the trail and two men with her were carrying her box She said she was coming so the soldiers took her things and she rode with me As she told you they probably know it now but Ill see them the first thing when I go back and explain Theyll be glad to know shes safe Shes as skittish a filly as Ive ever laid eyes onshe wont wear a bit nor stand and that little black devil that she rides is made out of the same kind of timber The two of them will have the settlement by the ears inside of a monthyou wait and see Beatrice appeared at this juncture and pointed a rosy finger at Captain Wells Perjurer she laughed Youve been taking my character away from meMrs Franklin was not told of the plan until Beatrice and Robert
appeared at her door with the enterprising young womans possessions
but she made her guest very welcome

Why didnt you tell me you were coming she asked

What would be the use of telling you inquired Beatrice Youd be
obliged to say you wanted me so I just came

The Captains wife was genuinely glad for of late she had been very
lonely Franklin was always more or less absorbed in his own affairs
and the feeling between Lieutenant Howard and his superior officer did
not tend to promote friendly relations between the women There had
been no open break but each felt that there might be one at any time

Ronald was in high spirits Since he had given Beatrice the basket she
had treated him more kindly and he led Queen twenty times around the
Fort every day for exercise without a murmur of complaint Beatrice
stood at the gate and kept count while across the river Forsyth sat
on the piazza and envied the Ensign even during his monotonous daily
round

Among the officers at the Fort the declaration of war had not been
altogether unexpected for vague rumours of Englands arrogance upon
the high seas had reached the western limits of civilisation but the
situation was covered only by general orders from the War Department

For once Lieutenant Howard agreed with the Captain in that there
seemed to be no great possibility of a British attack However
valiantly defended the Fort could not be held long in the face of a
vigorous assault from the enemy since the fighting force numbered
less than sixty men but England would have nothing to gain from that
quarter Other points were far more important than Fort Dearborn but
the garrison was ready to fight nevertheless

Ronald was more sanguine and lived in hourly hope of hearing the
signal of the enemys approach He sharpened the edge of his sword to
the keen thinness of a knife blade and slept with one hand upon his
pistol Doctor Norton too was making elaborate preparations in the
way of lint and bandages and Ronald helped him make stretchers enough
to last during a lifetime of war

But the days passed peacefully and there were no signs of fighting
The Indians were particularly lawless but confined their violence to
their own people though they had lost in a great measure their
wholesome fear of the soldiers at the Fort

The devils are insolent because they think theres going to be
trouble and in the general confusion it will escape notice remarked
Ronald as he sat in the shade of Lieutenant Howards piazza Im in
favour of stringing up a few of em by way of example to the rest

Yes replied Howard twisting his mustache and in a few minutes
wed have the entire Pottawattomie tribe upon us You dont seem to
understand that they knew war had been declared long before we did
and that even now in all probability they are in league with the
enemy No people on earth are too low down for England to ally herself
with when she wants territory

True answered Ronald but Im not afraid of England Shes had one
good lesson and well give her another any time she wants it

Weve got enough on our hands right here sighed the Lieutenant
without any more foreign wars Weve got to have it out with the
Indians yet and fight our way step by step The trail of blood began
at Plymouth and will endGod knows where England is more or less
civilised but she isnt above setting the Indians upon us to serve
her own ends

What are you talking about asked Beatrice coming across from
Captain Franklins

Yes do tell us said Katherine from the doorway

Affairs of state answered the Lieutenant easily

Any British in sight inquired Beatrice

Not yet replied Ronald but the entire army is likely to drop on
us at any minute

What would you do she asked curiously

Do repeated Ronald striding up and down in front of the house
wed call in the pickets bar the gates man the guns and send the
women and children into the Captains cellar

Could Queen go too

Can Queen go down a ladder

She never has answered Beatrice but she could if she wanted
toIm sure of it

If thats the case said Lieutenant Howard wed better offer her
to the British officers as a trick horse and buy off the attack

If they come in the daytime continued Beatrice ignoring the
suggestion I will go out to meet them all by myself Ill put on
my pink dress and my best apron and carry a white flag in one hand
and the United States flag in the other When the British captain
comes running up to me to see what I want Ill say Captain you
are late and to be late to dinner is a sin We have been looking for
you for some time but we will forgive you if you will come now The
invitation includes the ladies of your party and all the officers
They never could shoot after that

Katherine joined in the laugh that followed but her heart was uneasy
none the less Like Ronald she was continually expecting an attack
and knew there could be but one result She believed that the Indians
and the British would make common cause against them when the time
came to strike

Ill tell you what said Ronald some of us ought to go out and
drag in Mad Margaret If we stood her up on the stockade there isnt
an Indian in the tribe who would dare to aim an arrow or throw a
tomahawk toward the Fort

Ive never seen her said Beatrice thoughtfully

I hope you never will answered Ronald quickly Shes crazy
of course but she has an uncanny way about her that a sensitive
person would consider disturbing She pranced into the Fort on a
Winter afternoon two years ago and prophesied a flood followed by
a terribly hot Summer and no crops When the Spring rains came the
river spread on all sides and sure enough there were no crops that
year

Was it hot too

Oh Lord Was it hot If hell is any hotter I dont care to go to it

You talk as if that was your final destination observed Katherine

Thats as it may be returned the Ensign Ive often been invited
to go and several times Ive been told that it was a fitting place of
residence for such as I

I didnt know about that said the Lieutenant thoughtfully
referring to the fulfilment of the prophecy

You werent here explained Ronald It was before you camein
 I think

Cousin Rob told me about her said Beatrice He said she came to
Uncle Johns the same day he did and hes seen her once or twice
since She always says that she sees much blood then fire and
afterward peace

Yes growled the Ensign shes for ever harping on blood She stuck
her claws into me that night I remembertold me I should never have
my hearts desire

What is your hearts desire asked Beatrice lightly

The Summer faded and another day came back Once again he sat before
the roaring fire at the trading station with Forsyth Mackenzie and
Chandonnais grouped around him while phantoms of snow drifted by and
sleet beat against the window panes Then the door seemed to open
softly and Mad Margaret made her way into the circle Chandonnais
wild music sounded again in his ears then he felt the thin clawlike
hands upon him and heard the high tremulous voice saying You shall
never have your hearts desire and in answer to his question It
has not come but you will know it soon

The blood beat in his ears but he heard Beatrice say once more
What is your hearts desire

A flash of inward light revealed itthe girl who stood before him
with the sunlight on her hair and her scarlet lips parted strong and
selfreliant yet wholly womanly

Ronald cleared his throat You shouldnt ask me such questions he
said trying to speak lightly when all these people are around

Wed better go Kit remarked the Lieutenant we seem to be in the
way

Anything to please murmured Mrs Howard as they went into the
house

Ronald was looking at Beatrice with all his soul in his eyes II
must go she stammered Aunt Eleanor will want me

Dontdear The boyishness was all gone and it was the voice of
a man in pain The deep crimson flamed into her face and dyed the
whiteness of her neck just below the turn of her cheek She did not
dare to look at him but fled ignominiously

He did not follow her but she heard him laugha hollow mirthless
laugh with a catch in it that sounded like a sob She never knew how
she crossed the river but she was surprised to find Forsyth waiting
for her As he helped her out of the pirogue he said I was just
going after youwe feared we had lost you

Im not lost she said shortly and I dont want people running
around after me

The shadow that crossed his face haunted her even while he sat
opposite her at dinner and laughed and joked with her as usual When
Mrs Mackenzie took the baby away for his afternoon nap with Maria
Indiana wailing sleepily at her skirts Beatrice went to her own room
fearing to be alone with Robert She was strangely restless and
something seemed to hang over her like an indefinite threatening fate

Outside was the drowsy hum of midsummer where the fairy folk of
the fields rubbed their wings together in the grass and the sun
transformed the river to a sheet of shining silver Ronald came out
took the good boat which belonged to the Fort and pulled downstream
with long steady strokes The river was low but he passed the bar
with little difficulty and went on out into the lake

Beatrice heard Robert singing happily to himself but she could not
stay any longer where she was She gathered up her sewing and climbed
out of the window ungracefully but effectively and went back to the
Fort

Katherine saw her coming and smiled That morning with quick
intuition she had read the secret in Ronalds heart and suddenly
knew how much she cared for the boy who teased and tormented but
never failed her if she needed him In her own mind she had written
down Beatrice as an unsparing coquette and determined to take up the
cudgels in behalf of her victim

The girl sewed nervously breaking her thread frequently but she kept
at it until Katherine said very gently Bee George cares for you

I know snapped Beatrice Her thread broke again and her hands
trembled so she could scarcely knot it

And Robert too said Katherine presently

I know

Well dear what are you going to do about it

Cousin Kit said the girl angrily if youre going to lecture me
Im going back home She folded up her work but Mrs Howard put a
restraining hand upon her arm

Dont Bee You know we talked about my trouble togetherwhy cant
we talk about yours

I havent any trouble Beatrices face was flushed but her voice
was softer and she seemed willing to stay

What are you going to do about it asked Katherine once more

What can I do about it cried Beatrice in a high keywhy thats
simple Im sure I can go to Mr Ronald and say Please Mr Ronald
dont ask me to marry you because Im going to marry Cousin Rob He
doesnt know it yet in fact he hasnt even asked me but Im going
to do it just the same Or I might go to Cousin Rob and say My
dear Mr Forsyth I hope you wont ask me to marry you because Im
going to marry Mr Ronald who hasnt asked me as yet In fact she
continued with her temper rising Ive about concluded that I wont
marry anybody

Bee dear Im only trying to help youplease dont be cross to me
Which one do you care for

Neither cried Beatrice in a passion I dont care for
anybody and Im never going to be married Id be happy
wouldnt I Tied upchained like a dogtake what my master gave
meslavedrudgebear whatever burden he saw fit to put upon meeat
my heart out in lonelinesscry all day and all night for my lost
freedom Marry Not I

Marriage means all those things as you say said Katherine after
a silence but the bitterest part of it is that when you find your
mate you have to go The call is insistentthere is no other way
It means childbearing and child lossit means a thousand kinds
of pain that you never knew beforeloneliness doubt sacrifice
misunderstandingand always the fear of change Before you think of
it as a permanent bond of happiness later you see that it is a yoke
borne unequally You marry to keep love but sometimes that is the
surest way to lose it

They say continued Katherine with her face white that after the
first few years the storm and stress dies out into indifference and
that happiness and content are again possible But oh she breathed
those few years If man and woman must go through the world together
shoulder to shoulder meeting the same troubles the same difficulties
and dangers why oh why didnt God make us of the same clay We
are different in a thousand ways we act in opposite directions
from differing and incomprehensible motivesour point of view is
instinctively different and yet we are chained Sex against sex it
has been since the world begansex against sex it shall be to the
bitter end

Katherine sobbed Beatrice I know That is what I am afraid of
All the time I keep tight hold of myself to keep from caring because
I dare not surrender If I yield I am lost If I loved a man he
could take me between his two hands and crush meso I should be so
wholly his

Yes said the other bitterly and many times he will crush you
just to see if he canjust to see that he has not lost his command of
you Power is what he must havepower over your mind and body your
heart and your soulfor every little unthinking action of yours you
are held responsible before the bar of his justice His justice she
repeated scornfully when he does not know what the word means You
have a little corner of his life you give him all of yours in return
We are bound like slaves that never can be freeGod made it soand
we obey

There was a tense silence then a step was heard upon the piazza and
Katherine opened the door to her husband Beatrice managed to wipe her
wet eyes upon her sewing before he saw that she was there

Well said the Lieutenant easily sinking into a chair what have
you girls been doing

Oh weve just been talking answered Katherine diffidently

Talking talkingalways talking he continued What would women
do if they couldnt talk

Theyd burst remarked Beatrice concisely

I guess thats right laughed the Lieutenant but you neednt fear
it will happen to you

Youre mean to me said Beatrice gathering up her work so Im
going home

Dont be in a hurry put in Katherine

I havent beenyou dont want me to live here do you

We should be charmed replied the Lieutenant gallantly

Ill consider it she said shortly Goodbye

Tempestuous sort of a girl commented Howard as Beatrice
disappeared Shed play the devil with a man wouldnt she

Thats exactly what shes doing

Which man asked Howard curiously

Messrs Ronald and Forsyth answered Katherine laughing How blind
and stupid you are

The Lieutenants disposition had undergone outward improvement of
late By common consent he and Katherine had started afresh making no
reference to past disagreements and he had wisely ceased to question
her motives or her actions He let her understand that she might do as
she pleased in all things and naturally she was not willing to take
undue advantage of her tacit freedom Still the old happiness and
confidence were gone

                            

Forsyth had the second watch that night and was sitting on the piazza
listening for the warning guns of the pickets on the lookout for the
enemy when Ronald came across the river

Thought you were here he said so I came over as I couldnt
sleep

Im glad you did returned Robert It gets pretty lonely out here
about three oclock in the morning

Are you sleepy

Not a bit

Who comes on next and when

Chans watch begins at threeit isnt far from that now

Call him up then and lets go out awhile I cant sit still

All right

When the halfbreed muttering sleepily was finally stationed on the
piazza with instructions to listen for the guns they walked out to
the river

Which way asked Robert

EitherI dont care

The moon was shining brightly and the earth was exquisitely still The
Fort transfigured by its mantle of silver sheen might have been some
mossgrown feudal castle with a gleaming river at its gate Ronald
walked rapidly and his breath came in quick short jerks

Whats gone wrong with you asked Forsyth kindly

I dont know how to put it said the soldier after a long silence
for I never was good at words butwell you like Beatrice pretty
well dont you

Yes dont you

Shes my hearts desire said Ronald thickly

They were in the forest now where the tall trees stood like the
pillars of a cathedral and the moonlight softened by the overhanging
branches fell full upon Roberts face white to the lips with pain

Old man said Ronald huskily one of us is going to get hurt

Yes returned Forsyth dully I suppose sowe cant both have her

Perhaps neither of us can butwell whatever happenssay it isnt
going to interfere with our friendship is it

No cried Forsyth a thousand times no

Ronald wrung the others hand in a fierce grasp and choked down a lump
in his throat Shes too good for me he muttered I know that as
well as anybody but on my soul I cant give her up

Shes for the man she loves said Forsyth and for no other She
wouldnt marry a king if she didnt love him

Well sighed Ronald so be it May the best man win

For the sake of her happiness yes Of the three of us only one will
suffer unless you and I share it together but even that is better
than for her to be unhappy I havent a chance with youI know I
havent but youre my friend andII love her so much that I could
give her to you if she loved you better than she loved me

Rob Rob cried Ronald youre the only friend Ive got
but I dont need any more Whatever happens Ill hold fast to
thattherell be something left for me after all