st active Indians was
despatched with a pencil-note to Jenkins Creek.

It was this note which interrupted the conversation between Reginald
Redding and the elder McLeod at a somewhat critical moment, and this
note, as the reader may easily believe, threw the whole establishment
into sudden consternation.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

SHIFTING WINDS.

Immediately on receipt of the note referred to, vigorous preparations
were made to convey relief to Roderick McLeod. Such provisions as the
party at Jenkins Creek could muster were packed into the smallest
possible space, because the boat, or cobble, which was to convey them
down the gulf was very small--scarcely large enough to hold the party
which meant to embark in it. This party consisted of McLeod senior,
Kenneth, and Flora, it being arranged that Ian and Rooney should remain
to prosecute, as well as to guard, the works at the Creek.

Seeing that there was so little room to spare in the boat, Reginald
Redding decided to hasten down on foot to the Cliff Fort, in order to
see to the comfort of the wrecked men who had been sent there. He,
however, offered the rescue party the services of his man, Le Rue, an
offer which was accepted all the more readily that the Canadian
possessed some knowledge of the coast.

It was very dark when they started, but, fortunately, calm. McLeod had
resolved to travel night and day, if the weather permitted, until he
should reach the scene of the wreck, and to take snatches of rest if
possible in the boat.

There were only two oars in the boat, so that one of its crew was always
idle. This, however, proved to be rather an advantage, for, by
affording frequent relief to each rower, it saved the strength of all,
and at the same time enabled them to relieve the tedium of the journey
to poor Flora.

At first they proceeded along under the deep shade of the ghost-like
cliffs in unbroken silence, the mind of each no doubt being busy with
the wreck of their last remnant of fortune, as well as with the
dangerous condition in which the youthful Roderick lay; but, as the dawn
of day approached, they began to talk a little, and when the sun arose
its gladdening beams appeared to carry hope to each breast, inducing an
almost cheerful state of mind. In the case of Francois Le Rue, the
influence of sunshine was so powerful that a feeling of sympathy and
respect for the McLeods in the calamity which had overtaken them alone
restrained him from break