n defence
of his birth-place. Dreams are caused by that which most engrosses our
thoughts--particularly just as we are going to sleep. There have not
been any traces of the Indians discovered this season, and I should be
sorry to raise an alarm among our friends merely upon account of a
dream."

"But you know, my husband," said she, "that they are a secret, as well
as a terrible enemy--they are, you know, eagles for daring, panthers
for fierceness, adders for secrecy, and foxes for cunning." And she
raised her mild eyes to her husband's face with that pleading
expression when tears seem ready to start, and are yet checked by the
fear of giving pain to the one beloved. A fond husband finds it
impossible to withstand the tears of his wife, and he said, quickly,
"I will not go to the garrison to-day."

"But you promised your father, and he will expect you," answered she.
"You must go. I know my fears are the fears of a child, but they shall
not make me wicked. I am too apt to think my security depends on your
presence. I forgot that the One mighty to save can defend me, and that
trust in Him is a shield to the believer. You must go."

"But I will not go without you," said her husband, who now began to
feel the fears she was endeavouring to shake off. "Come, prepare the
child, and we will go down together. If there has been any alarm, we
will not return to-night, but pass it under the protection of the
fort."

The wife paused a few moments, as if considering what she should do. I
need not tell you, for you know that nothing is so difficult to
explain--nothing so contradictory as the feelings and wishes of the
human heart. A few moments since she would have thought that if she
could accompany her husband she should be perfectly safe--that his
presence would obviate every danger ere it arose. But now other
considerations presented themselves to her mind. If he went not to the
council, he might incur reproof for listening to a woman's fears and
dreams; and dread of ridicule prevented her from accompanying him.

"I will have more fortitude," said she, smiling. "I will not make a
fool of you, though I appear like one myself--you shall not have
reason to be ashamed of your wife--I will not go." And she sat down
resolutely, determined to conquer her fears. It was in vain that her
husband urged her to accompany him. The more she saw his affectionate
anxiety on her account, the more she laboured to suppress her fears,
till fi