but many conjectures were hazarded,
until the canoe drew near enough for its occupants to be distinguished.
Then Ensign Christie shouted with unfeigned amazement:

"By Jove! It's old Bullen himself!"

CHAPTER XIV

A WHITE MEDICINE MAN

Ensign Christie was right in his conjecture, for the new arrival was
Paymaster Bullen. His canoe, which he had requisitioned at Oswego, was
of the largest size, and in addition to six Indian paddlers was
provided with a square sail, for use before fair winds. In the middle
of this craft, seated in his beloved tub as on a throne, appeared the
doughty paymaster, in full uniform. This included a cocked hat,
carefully powdered wig, laced coat, sword, perfectly fitting breeches,
white silk stockings, and high-heeled pumps, surmounted by large silver
buckles. As the big canoe dashed up to the beach, it was noticed that
its native crew dropped their paddles and flung themselves down as
though utterly exhausted. With a contemptuous glance at them, the
little paymaster stepped carefully ashore, and addressing the commander
of the post, who advanced to meet him, said:--

"Major Wilkins, I believe. My name is Bullen,--Leonidas Bullen,--and I
hold a requisition upon you signed by Sir Jeffry Amherst, for a boat
and crew to carry me with all speed to Detroit, on the king's business.
You will also please furnish the natives who have brought me to this
point with goods, according to the subjoined list. Take their receipt
for same and permit them to return to Oswego. That is all, sir, and I
should be pleased to proceed with the least possible delay."

"I am at your service, paymaster," replied Major Wilkins, courteously,
as he glanced over the papers just handed to him, "and you shall be
forwarded with all speed. But you will surely spend the night with us.
We--"

"Couldn't think of it, my dear sir! couldn't think of it for a moment,
delighted as I should be to do so," interrupted the new arrival. "You
see, my mission is of such urgency. Then, too, I am desirous of
overtaking my young friends Christie and Hester before--By Jove! there
they are now! What are you chaps doing here? I thought you were in a
hurry to get on."

"Oh, Bullen! how could you have imagined such a thing?" asked Christie,
gravely, as he shook hands with his recent travelling-companion. "We
were in haste to leave Johnson Castle, to be sure, but since then--why,
my dear fellow, we have simply loafed, in the