bserved that John was missing.

"He was here just before prayers," said Mrs Campbell. "He must have
slipped away after the old hunter."

"No doubt of that, ma'am," said Martin. "He will go with him and find
out where he puts up his wigwam, and after that he will come back to
you; so there is no use sending after him; indeed, we don't know which
way to send."

Martin was right. Two days afterwards, John made his appearance again,
and remained very quietly at home during the whole week, catching fish
in the stream or practising with a bow and some arrows, which he had
obtained from Malachi Bone; but the boy appeared to be more taciturn and
more fond of being alone than ever he was before; still he was obedient
and kind towards his mother and cousins, and was fond of Percival's
company when 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 pigsties 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
despatch, and limit his absence to a few days more, which he trusted