k in the
distance. Then, completely dumfounded by the incident, Abel sat down
near the door-step to reflect upon it, while the more energetic Mercy
departed for the Fort, declaring:

"I'll see what that all means, or I'll never say another word's long
as I live! The idee! _Men_--folks calling themselves _men_--and
wearing government breeches, as I suppose they do, letting a girl
like that go to destruction without a soul to stop her! But, my land!
she was a sight to see, and no mistake!"

Meanwhile that was happening down at the little wharf which set all
tongues a-chatter and fascinated all eyes.

"A fleet is coming in! A regular fleet of schooners, from the north
and the upper lakes!"

Those who had not gone hunting crowded to the shore, and even the
women caught their babies up and followed the men, Abel among the
others, roused from his anxious brooding over the Sun Maid's daring
and catching the excitement.

"Shucks! Something must be up down that direction. Beats all. Here
I've been only part of a day, and more things have gone on than would
at our clearing in a month of Sundays. I--I'm all of a fluster to kind
of keep my head level an' my judgment cool. 'Twouldn't never do to let
on to ma how stirred up I be. Dear me! Seems as if I wouldn't never
get there. I do hope they'll wait till I do."

After all, it was the quietest and drowsiest of little hamlets,
dropped down in the mud beside a great waterway; and the "fleet,"
which had roused so much interest, was but a modest one of a
half-dozen small schooners, laden with furs and peltries and manned by
the smallest of crews.

However, to Abel, and to many another, it was a memorable event; and
he made a pause at the Fort, which in itself was an object of great
interest to him, to inform Mercy of the spectacle she was losing.

"Come on, ma! It's a regular show down there. Real sailors and
ships--we hain't seen the like since we left the East and the coast of
old Massachusetts."

"Ships? My heart! I never expected to look upon another. Just to think
it!"

The foremost vessel came to shore and was made fast; and there upon
its deck stood a tall, dark-bearded man, who appeared what he
was--the commander of the fleet; and he gave his orders in a clear,
ringing voice that was instantly obeyed. His manner was grave, even
melancholy; and his interest in the safe landing seemed greater than
in any person among the expectant groups. He had tossed his hat aside