s, and the fragments
and bodies of those on board have been driven far out again on the lake.

"After our vain search, we commenced our journey, my wife carrying the
little girl in her arms. On our way we called at the Hudson's Bay
Company's post, situated above the falls, where the hospitable
superintendent begged us to remain, and offered to take care of the
child until its friends could be discovered. My wife, however, refused
to part with her treasure-trove, as she called the little foundling, and
so strongly expressed her wish to adopt her, that, having none of our
own, I consented, provided no relative appeared to claim her. On seeing
the ornaments which we had taken from the Indian woman, the
superintendent pronounced them to be those worn by Crees, and thought by
their means he might discover the child's relatives.

"He at once sent to the hut to bury the poor woman, and we remained at
our cottage until we could receive the information our friend promised
to obtain. He had not expected any canoe from the west, and could not
account for the one which was supposed to be lost.

"We waited on, but as the superintendent of the post could obtain no
information in the neighbourhood, and told us that it might be many
months before he could get any from the Far West, whence there could be
little doubt the canoe had come, we returned to Toronto with the child.
She became our adopted daughter, and from that day to this,
notwithstanding all our inquiries, we have been unable to learn her
parentage. Though we soon afterwards had a child of our own, she ever
retained the same hold on our affections which she had at first
enjoyed."

"I cannot but suppose that so lovely a creature must be of gentle
birth," exclaimed Loraine; "but whether she is or not, with your leave,
if she consents to be mine, I will marry her as soon as a clergyman can
be found to unite us."

"Although we shall all be sorry to part from her, I will throw no
obstacle in the way of what may tend to her happiness as well as yours,"
answered Captain Mackintosh, shaking Loraine by the hand.

As it may be supposed, the young lover felt pretty sure of the answer
Sybil would give him, nor was he mistaken.

Norman and Hector looked somewhat grave.

"And so you intend to carry off Sybil," exclaimed the latter. "I almost
wish that I hadn't brought you to the fort, old fellow. But one good
thing is that you cannot take her away until you are married, an