GOOD NEWS.

Colin Macdonald, I have omitted to state, was rather more than sixty
years of age; a stalwart, bearded, well-preserved Scotchman, who had
grown gray in the service of the Hudson Bay Company. He was an old
friend of mine, as I had visited Fort Garry on previous occasions.

"Good-morning, Carew," he began. "Overslept yourself--eh? Miss Hatherton
would insist on waiting for you--lucky dog that you are! But here is
something that will interest you."

"Dispatches?" I exclaimed eagerly.

"Right you are."

"From Quebec, I presume?"

"No; from the North. But sit down and have breakfast, man. You must be
half-starved."

Curbing my impatience, I seated myself at the table. Flora sat on the
left and poured out the coffee. The factor remained standing.

"I must be off directly," he said. "I knew you would want to hear the
news. A special courier came in at daybreak--splendid fellow!--all the
way from Fort Charter--left three weeks after your party."

"From Fort Charter?" I cried. "And what is the news?"

"I hope it is good news," said Flora.

"Well, yes, what there is of it is good," replied Macdonald, "and that's
not so much after all. The dispatches come from Fort Charter, and
contain information received there from Fort York and other northern
posts. For one thing, my prediction was right. The Indians, instead of
continuing on the war-path, have disbanded as mysteriously and swiftly as
they assembled. A small force, collected from the different forts, has
started out to pursue the scattered parties of the enemy."

"I hope they will succeed," said I. "Anything about Cuthbert Mackenzie?"

"Yes. That infernal ruffian was the leader, according to Indian spies
who arrived at Fort York. But there is little hope of catching him. He
is supposed to have fled south with a few followers. By Heaven, sir, if
he comes back to the Red River, I'll arrest him at once! The whole North
West Company shan't hinder me!"

"I'm sorry he escaped!" exclaimed Flora, with flashing eyes. "But tell
me, Mr. Macdonald, is there any word of Mr. Menzies and his party?"

"They are all right," replied the factor. "They reached Fort Elk in
safety, and then went on to Fort York. So you see that the North is
quiet again."

"But that won't avenge the burning of Fort Royal," I said bitterly, "or
the death of so many brave men."

"The work of retribution will come later," declared Macdonald; "be
assured of tha