"Wayland, did you say?" he asked, with deepened interest. "'T is not a
common appellation, yet I once knew a Major by that name in Wayne's
command."

"My father, sir," I asserted proudly.

With quick impulsiveness he extended his hand.

"As noble a soldier as I have ever known," he exclaimed heartily. "I
served with him in two campaigns. But what are you two young fellows
doing here? for it would be hard to conceive of a more disheartening
place of residence. Surely, De Croix, you are not permanently located
in this delightful spot?"

"The saints forbid!" ejaculated the other, with an expression of horror
that caused the younger officer to smile. "Yet I have already survived
ten days of it. We seek to join some party bound westward, either to
Fort Dearborn or beyond."

The elder officer smiled gravely, as his stern eyes wandered
thoughtfully over our faces in the candle-light.

"You will scarcely find those who go beyond," he said, at last, slowly.
"That is our extreme frontier; and even this post, I hear it rumored,
is to be abandoned shortly. Indeed, I am now proceeding thither,
hoping to escort a niece safely eastward because of that very
probability. I can offer you naught save companionship and guidance
upon the journey; yet if you needs must go, you may ride with us and
welcome. But 't is my first duty to advise you strongly against it."