en he went to take trout from the stream.

It was of course after the departure of the old hunter, that his log hut
was taken possession of and the cows put into the meadow in front of it.

As the work became more advanced, Martin went out every day, accompanied
either by Alfred or Henry, in pursuit of game. Mr. Campbell had procured
an ample supply of ammunition, as well as the rifles, at Quebec. These
had been unpacked, and the young men were becoming daily more expert. Up
to the present, the supply of game from the fort, and occasional fresh
beef, had not rendered it necessary for Mr. Campbell to have much
recourse to his barrels of salt-pork, but still it was necessary that a
supply should be procured as often as possible, that they might husband
their stores. Martin was a certain shot if within distance, and they
seldom returned without a deer slung between them. The garden had been
cleared away and the pig-sties were finished, but there was still the
most arduous portion of the work to commence, which was the felling of
the trees to clear the land for the growing of corn. In this they could
expect no assistance from the garrison; indeed, from the indulgence of
the commandant, they had already obtained more than they could have
expected. It was in the last days of August, and the men lent from the
garrison were about to be recalled; the houses were completed, the
palisade had been raised round the house and store-house, and the men
were now required at the fort. Captain Sinclair received several hints
from the commandant that he must use all convenient dispatch, and limit
his absence to a few days more, which he trusted would be sufficient.
Captain Sinclair, who would willingly have remained in society which he
so much valued, and who had now become almost one of the family, found
that he could make no more excuses. He reported that he would be ready
to return on the 1st of September, and on the morning of that day the
_bateaux_ arrived to take back the soldiers, and bring the pigs and
fowls which had been promised. Mr. Campbell settled his account with
Captain Sinclair, by a draft upon his banker at Quebec, for the pay of
the soldiers, the cows, and the pigs. The Captain then took leave of his
friends with mutual regret, and many kind adieus, and, accompanied by
the whole of the family to the beach, embarked with all his men and
pulled away for the fort.

CHAPTER XII.

The Campbells remained for some ti