old to do so, went to the
fire and took her seat among the rest, with all the composure it was in
her power to command.

"Late come, late served, Mabel," said her uncle, between mouthfuls of
broiled salmon; for though the cookery might be very unsophisticated on
that remote frontier, the viands were generally delicious,--"late come,
late served; it is a good rule, and keeps laggards up to their work."

"I am no laggard, Uncle; for I have been stirring nearly an hour, and
exploring our island."

"It's little you'll make o' that, Mistress Mabel," put in Muir; "that's
little by nature. Lundie--or it might be better to style him Major
Duncan in this presence" (this was said in consideration of the
corporal and the common men, though they were taking their meal a little
apart)--"has not added an empire to his Majesty's dominions in getting
possession of this island, which is likely to equal that of the
celebrated Sancho in revenues and profits--Sancho, of whom, doubtless,
Master Cap, you'll often have been reading in your leisure hours, more
especially in calms and moments of inactivity."

"I know the spot you mean, Quartermaster; Sancho's Island--coral rock,
of new formation, and as bad a landfall, in a dark night and blowing
weather, as a sinner could wish to keep clear of. It's a famous place
for cocoanuts and bitter water, that Sancho's Island."

"It's no' very famous for dinners," returned Muir, repressing the smile
which was struggling to his lips out of respect to Mabel; "nor do I
think there'll be much to choose between its revenue and that of this
spot. In my judgment, Master Cap, this is a very unmilitary position,
and I look to some calamity befalling it, sooner or later."

"It is to be hoped not until our turn of duty is over," observed Mabel.
"I have no wish to study the French language."

"We might think ourselves happy, did it not prove to be the Iroquois. I
have reasoned with Major Duncan on the occupation of this position, but
'a wilfu' man maun ha' his way.' My first object in accompanying this
party was to endeavor to make myself acceptable and useful to your
beautiful niece, Master Cap; and the second was to take such an account
of the stores that belong to my particular department as shall leave no
question open to controversy, concerning the manner of expenditure, when
they shall have disappeared by means of the enemy."

"Do you look upon matters as so serious?" demanded Cap, actually
suspendin