pocket kept
him abundantly supplied with tobacco. Then in his heart he forgave him,
and kept away. They never met again.

The bulk of the militia had been disbanded after the great battle. A
few of the scouts and enough men to garrison the fort and guard the
prisoners were retained. Each day there were joyful partings--the men
with homes, going home. And the thought that ever waxed in Rolf came on
in strength. He hobbled to headquarters. "General, can I get leave--to
go--he hesitated--home?"

"Why, Kittering, I didn't know you had a home. But, certainly, I'll give
you a month's leave and pay to date."

Champlain is the lake of the two winds; the north wind blows for six
months with a few variations, and the south wind for the other six
months with trifling.

Next morning a bark canoe was seen skimming southward before as much
north wind as it could stand, with Rolf reclining in the middle, Quonab
at the stern, and Skookum in the bow.

In two days they were at Ticonderoga. Here help was easily got at
the portage and on the evening of the third day, Quonab put a rope on
Skookum's neck and they landed at Hendrik's farm.

The hickory logs were blazing bright, and the evening pot was reeking as
they opened the door and found the family gathered for the meal.

"I didn't know you had a home," the general had said. He should have
been present now to see the wanderer's welcome. If war breeds such a
spirit in the land, it is as much a blessing as a curse. The air was
full of it, and the Van Trumpers, when they saw their hero hobble in,
were melted. Love, pity, pride, and tenderness were surging in storms
through every heart that knew. "Their brother, their son come back,
wounded, but proven and glorious." Yes, Rolf had a home, and in that
intoxicating realization he kissed them all, even Annette of the glowing
cheeks and eyes; though in truth he paid for it, for it conjured up in
her a shy aloofness that lasted many days.

Old Hendrik sputtered around. "Och, I am smile; dis is goood, yah. Vere
is that tam dog? Yah! tie him not, he shall dis time von chicken have
for joy."

"Marta," said Rolf, "you told me to come here if I got hurt. Well, I've
come, and I've brought a boat-load of stuff in case I cannot do my share
in the fields."

"Press you, my poy you didn't oughter brung dot stuff; you know we
loff you here, and effery time it is you coom I get gladsomer, and dot
Annette she just cried ven you vent to de war."