d that they were in a
position to protect themselves."

"Most assuredly, and therefore we are equally so; your feelings of
interest in us magnify the danger, and I therefore trust that in future
you will not allow our position to interfere with your night's rest."

"I wish I could bring myself to that feeling of security Alfred. If I
were only with you, to assist in protecting them, I should sleep sound
enough."

"Then you would not be of much use as a watch," replied Alfred,
laughing. "Never fear, Sinclair, we shall do well enough," continued
he, "and if we require assistance, we will apply for you and a party of
soldiers."

"There would be much difficulty about that, Alfred," replied Captain
Sinclair; "if there were sufficient danger to make that demand upon the
commandant, the same danger would require that he should not weaken his
force in the fort; no, you would have to retreat to the fort, and leave
your farm to the mercy of the Indians."

"It certainly would be the wisest plan of the two," replied Alfred; "at
all events, we could send the women. But the Indians have not come yet,
and we must hope that they will not."

The conversation was then changed, and in half-an-hour more they arrived
at the fort.

Alfred was welcomed at the fort by Colonel Forster, with whom he was a
great favourite. The Colonel could not refrain from expressing his
opinion that Mr Campbell and his family were in a position of some
danger, and lamenting that the female portion of the family, who had
been brought up with such very different prospects, should be so
situated. He even ventured to hint that if Mrs Campbell and the two
Misses Percival would pass the winter in the fort, he would make
arrangements to accommodate them. But Alfred at once replied that he
was convinced no inducement would persuade his mother or cousins to
leave his father; they had shared his prosperity, and they would cling
to him in his adversity; that they all were aware of what they would
have to risk before they came out, and his father preferred a life of
honourable independence attended with danger, to seeking the assistance
of others.

"But still I cannot perceive any reason for the ladies remaining to
encounter the danger."

"The more we are, the stronger we are to repel danger."

"But women, surely, will only be an incumbrance!"

"I think differently," replied Alfred. "Young and delicate as my
cousins are, they will not shrink any more