flung her arms about the speaker's neck and kissed his swarthy cheek.

Then Captain Wells spoke more loudly, so that his words reached my ears.

"But, Heald," he said, "what means all this litter of garrison equipment
lying scattered about? Surely you have no present intention to leave the
Fort, in face Of that savage mob out yonder?"

"'T is the orders of General Hull," was the low; and somewhat hesitating
response, "and the Pottawattomie chiefs have pledged us escort around the
head of the lake. But this is no place to discuss the matter. As soon
as possible I would speak with you more fully in my office."

The look of undisguised amazement upon Wells's face startled me; and as I
glanced about me, wondering whom I might take counsel with, I was
astonished to note the horse that Toinette had ridden standing with empty
saddle. De Croix, negligently curling his mustache between his slender
fingers, gazed at me with a blank stare.

"Where is Mademoiselle?" I questioned anxiously, as he remained silent.
"Surely she was with us as we came in!"

"Pish! of course," he returned carelessly; "if she chooses to dismount
and rejoin her friends, what has that to do with John Wayland? Cannot
the girl so much as move without your permission, Monsieur?"

The words were insolent, not less than the manner that accompanied them.
Instantly there flashed upon me the thought that this Frenchman sought a
quarrel with me; but I could conceive no reason therefor, and was not
greatly disposed to accommodate him.