as the after-grass had been gathered in, there was not so much
to do. Henry and Mr Campbell, with Percival, were quite sufficient to
look after the stock, and as the leaves began to change, the cattle were
driven in from the woods, and pastured on the prairie. Everything went
on in order; one day was the counterpart of another. Alfred and Henry
thrashed out the corn, in the shed, or rather open barn, which had been
put up by the soldiers in the sheep-fold, and piled up the straw for
winter-fodder for the cattle. The oats and wheat were taken into the
store-house. Martin's wife could now understand English, and spoke it a
little. She was very useful, assisting Mrs Campbell and her nieces in
the house, and attending the stock. They had brought up a large number
of chickens, and had disposed of a great many to the Colonel and
officers of the fort. Their pigs also had multiplied exceedingly, and
many had been put up to fatten, ready to be killed and salted down. The
time for that occupation was now come, and they were very busy curing
their meat; they had also put up a small shed for smoking their bacon
and hams. Already they were surrounded with comfort and plenty, and
felt grateful to Heaven that they had been so favoured.

The autumn had now advanced, and their routine of daily duty was seldom
interrupted; now and then a visit was paid them from the fort by one or
other of the officers or the Commandant. The Indians had held their
council, but the English agent was present, and the supply of blankets
and other articles sent to the chiefs for distribution had the expected
effect of removing all animosity. It is true that the Angry Snake and
one or two more made very violent speeches, but they were overruled.
The calumet of peace had been presented and smoked, and all danger
appeared to be over from that quarter. Malachi had gone to the council,
and was well received. He had been permitted to speak also as an
English agent, and his words were not without effect. Thus everything
wore the appearance of peace and prosperity, when an event occurred
which we shall now relate.

What is termed the Indian summer had commenced, during which there is a
kind of haze in the atmosphere. One morning, a little before dawn, Mary
and Emma, who happened to be up first, went out to milk the cows, when
they observed that the haze was much thicker than usual. They had been
expecting the equinoctial gales, which were very late