and in a day or two the family again settled down to their
usual occupations. The emigrants had, during the absence of the
expedition, gathered in a great portion of the corn, and now all hands
were employed in finishing the harvest.

"How happy we are now, Mary," said Emma to her sister, as they were
walking by the stream watching John, who was catching trout.

"Yes, my dear Emma, we have had a lesson which will, I trust, prevent
any future repining, if we have felt any, at our present position. The
misery we have been rescued from has shown us how much we have to be
thankful for. We have nothing more to fear from the Indians, and I feel
as if I could now pass the remainder of my life here in peace and
thankfulness."

"Not without Captain Sinclair?"

"Not always without him; the time will, I trust, come when I may reward
him for his patience and his regard for me; but it has not yet come; and
it's for my uncle and aunt to decide when it shall. Where's Percival?"

"He is gone into the woods with Malachi, and with a rifle on his
shoulder, of which he is not a little proud. John is not at all jealous.
He says that Percival ought to know how to fire a rifle, and throw away
that foolish bow and arrow. Do you not think that his residence among
the Indians has made a great change in Percival?"

"A very great one; he is more manly and more taciturn; he appears to
think more and talk less. But Henry is beckoning to us. Dinner is ready,
and we must not keep hungry people waiting."

"No," replied Emma; "for in that case I should keep myself waiting."

CHAPTER XL.

Captain Sinclair on his return to Fort Frontignac reported to the
Colonel the successful result of the expedition, and was warmly
congratulated upon it, as the Colonel had been made acquainted with the
engagement between him and Mary Percival. The Young Otter, who had
remained in confinement during Captain Sinclair's absence, was now set
at liberty; and the Colonel, who was aware that Captain Sinclair must be
very anxious to remain at the settlement for a short time after what had
occurred, very kindly offered him leave for a few days, which it may be
supposed Captain Sinclair did not fail to avail himself of. The Colonel
at the same time sent a message to Mr. Campbell, stating that as soon as
the _bateaux_ should arrive from Montreal, he would bring any letters or
newspapers that might arrive for them, and take that opportunity of
offering in person