night."

"I thought Malachi was with you, Alfred," said Mr. Campbell.

"So he was, father," replied Alfred; "but he left me. Now, mother,
please to give me my dinner."

Alfred ate fast, and then rose from the table, and went away from the
house. The horse was all ready, and he mounted and rode off for the
fort, telling Malachi that his father and mother thought John was with
him; and that, therefore, he had better not go in to dinner, but keep
out of the way.

"Yes, sir, that will be best, and then they can ask no questions. Be
quick, sir, for I am not at all easy about the boy."

Their plans, however, to conceal the danger of John did not succeed; for
Mrs. Campbell, after the loss of poor little Percival, had become more
than ever solicitous about John, and, a minute or two after Alfred had
left the house, she rose from the table, and went to the door, to see if
she could perceive Malachi and John coming in. As it happened, Alfred
had just set off in a gallop, and she saw him, as well as Malachi
standing by himself and watching Alfred's departure. The very
circumstance of Alfred's mysterious departure alarmed her. He had never
said that he was going to the fort, and that John was not with Malachi
was certain. She went into the cottage, and, sinking back in her chair,
exclaimed--"Some accident has happened to John!"

"Why should you say so, my dear?" said Mr. Campbell.

"I'm sure of it," replied Mrs. Campbell, bursting into tears. "Alfred is
riding away to the fort. Malachi is standing by himself outside. What
can it be?"

Mr. Campbell and all the others ran out immediately, except Mary
Percival, who went to Mrs. Campbell. Mr. Campbell beckoned to Emma, and
from her obtained the real state of the case.

"It will be better to tell her at once," said Mr. Campbell, who then
went to his wife, telling her that John was adrift, and that Alfred had
ridden to the fort to pick him up in one of the _bateaux_, but there
was no danger to be apprehended.

"Why should they conceal it, if there was no danger, Campbell?" replied
his wife. "Yes; there must be danger now the water is so rough. My
child, am I to lose you as well as my poor Percival!" continued Mrs.
Campbell, again sobbing.

Every attempt was made to console her and assuage her fears, but with
indifferent success, and the afternoon of this day was passed in great
concern by all, and in an extreme state of nervous anxiety on the part
of Mrs. Campbell. Toward t