sight. A small canoe, which was
labouring to make its way from the island to the American shore, was the
only speck upon the broad, swift-flowing stream; and the party, after
pausing for a moment to make quite certain that it was so, turned
towards the house on the point, where they meant to keep their watch.

They had been seen from within; and as they came to the gate of the
small enclosure in front, a little girl opened the door to admit them.
They passed immediately into the room where, on the evening of her
flight, Mrs. Costello had found Christian and his companions. Its aspect
was very little changed. The house and furniture, such as it was, had
been sold years ago to its present occupants; Mr. Strafford had rescued
such small articles as the fugitive wife's desk, workbox, and various
trifles which had been in her possession before her marriage, but other
things remained just as they had been. Two children, girls of ten and
twelve, were the only occupants of the room, and they cast curious
glances at the two ladies who followed the clergyman into their domains.

He spoke to them in Ojibway, asking first for their mother, and then
why the younger sister was not at school?

"It was so stormy this morning," the elder answered. "She is going this
afternoon."

"It is quite time she was gone, then. These ladies will stay with you,
Sunflower, while I go in to see your mother. Tell her I am here."

"Sunflower"--always thus called instead of by her baptismal name of
Julia--obeyed; and while she was away, Mr. Strafford placed a chair for
Mrs. Costello in front of a window which commanded the long reach of the
river towards Cacouna. She sat down, and commenced her watch, which a
glance at the American clock hanging on the wall told her would not be a
very long one.

The younger girl had wrapped herself in a great shawl, and hurried off
to school; the elder one was occupied at the further end of the room,
making bread of Indian meal, and baking it in thin cakes upon the stove.
Mr. Strafford was with the invalid, and the mother and daughter sat
silently at the window and watched. The afternoon advanced. The American
clock struck one quarter after another. It was already half-past four.
Mr. Strafford came back; but, seeing the absorbed attitude of Mrs.
Costello, he would not disturb her, and the silence continued. At last
she moved. She had been looking, with intense eagerness, at one point
far away in the distance. She