“John, you have frightened me very much,” said Mrs Campbell; “how could you be so imprudent as to go on the lake in such a high wind? See, what a narrow escape you have had.”
“I should have been at Montreal to-morrow morning,” said John, laughing.
“No, never; you would have been upset in the rapids long before you could get to Montreal.”
“Well, mother, I can swim,” replied John.
“You naughty boy, nothing will make you afraid.”
“Well, ma’am, it’s a good fault, that of having confidence in yourself, so don’t check it too much,” replied Malachi. “It saves many a man who would otherwise be lost.”
“That’s very true, Malachi,” observed Alfred; “so, now that he is safe back, we won’t scold John any more. He will know better than to go out in such rough weather again.”
“To be sure I shall,” said John; “I don’t want to go down the rapids.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear you say that,” replied Mrs Campbell.
Captain Sinclair remained with them that night. Before daylight, the family were alarmed by the report of a gun, and it was immediately supposed that some attack had been made on the lodge occupied by Malachi, Martin, and his wife. Captain Sinclair, Alfred, Henry, and John sprang out of bed, and were clothed in a minute. As soon as they had armed themselves, they opened the door cautiously, and, looking well round, went through the passage to the sheep-fold where the lodge was built. Everything, however, appeared to be quiet, and Alfred knocked at the door. Malachi answered to the inquiry, “What is the matter?”