At last there came a beautiful sunny morning in May when consciousness returned, and the patient began to show other signs of recovery. Naturally of a strong, vigorous constitution, Mrs. Wright soon became convalescent. One evening she was lying on a couch before the fire, when she observed the pallor of Chrissy's earnest face.
"You must go out more, my child," she said. "You have had a long siege of nursing. You look worn out."
"Come along, Chris," said Phil, her eldest brother. "Let us go for a stroll down to the shore."
It was a beautiful evening. The sun was just veiling his face behind the western hills, illuminating the sky with glory, when suddenly they were attracted by the sweet strains of a French song in the distance.
Soon twelve canoes rounded the headland, coming up the mighty current of the river, manned by men decked out in varied and brilliant colors. They sang as only Canadian voyageurs could sing, suiting the action of the paddles to the rhythm of the song:
"A la claire fontaine,
M'en allant, promener,
J'ai trouvé l'eau si belle,
Que je m'y suis baig-né,
Lui ya longstemps que je t'aime,
Jamais je ne t'oublierai."
Each verse was sung in solo, and then repeated by all in chorus, finishing with a piercing Indian shriek.
"Soon twelve canoes rounded the headland."