The party were so refreshed by once more sleeping upon good beds, that they were up and dressed very early, and shortly after seven o’clock were all collected upon the rampart of the fort, surveying the land which was indeed very picturesque and beautiful. Before them, to their left, the lake was spread, an inland sea, lost in the horizon, now quite calm, and near to the shores studded with small islands covered with verdant foliage, and appearing as if they floated upon the transparent water. To the westward, and in front of them, were the clearings belonging to the fort, backed with the distant woods: a herd of cattle were grazing on a portion of the cleared land; the other was divided off by a snake-fence, as it is termed, and was under cultivation. Here and there a log building was raised as a shelter for the animals during the winter, and at half a mile’s distance was a small fort, surrounded by high palisades, intended as a place of retreat and security for those who might be in charge of the cattle in case of danger or surprise. Close to the fort, a rapid stream, now from the freshets overflowing its banks, poured down its waters into the lake, running its course through a variety of shrubs and larches and occasional elms which lined its banks. The sun shone bright—the woodpeckers flew from tree to tree, or clung to the rails of the fences—the belted kingfisher darted up and down over the running stream—and the chirping and wild notes of various birds were heard on every side of them.
“This is very beautiful, is it not?” said Mrs Campbell; “surely it cannot be so great a hardship to live in a spot like this?”
“Not if it were always so, perhaps, Madam,” said Colonel Forster, who had joined the party as Mrs Campbell made the observation. “But Canada in the month of June is very different from Canada in January. That we find our life monotonous in this fort, separated as we are from the rest of the world, I admit, and the winters are so long and severe as to tire out our patience; but soldiers must do their duty whether burning under the tropics, or freezing in the wilds of Canada. It cannot be a very agreeable life, when even the report of danger near to us becomes a pleasurable feeling from the excitement it causes for the moment.
“I have been talking, Mr Campbell, with Captain Sinclair, and find you have much to do before the short summer is over, to be ready to meet the coming winter; more than you can well do with your limited means. I am happy that my instructions from the Governor will permit me to be of service to you. I propose that the ladies shall remain here, while you, with such assistance as I can give, proceed to your allotment, and prepare for their reception.”
“A thousand thanks for your kind offer, Colonel—but no, no, we will all go together,” interrupted Mrs Campbell; “we can be useful, and we will remain in the tents till the house is built. Do not say a word more, Colonel Forster, that is decided; although I again return you many thanks for your kind offer.”
“If such is the case, I have only to observe that I shall send a fatigue party of twelve men, which I can well spare for a few weeks, to assist you in your labours,” replied Colonel Forster. “Their remuneration will not put you to a very great expense. Captain Sinclair has volunteered to take charge of it.”
“Many thanks, sir,” replied Mr Campbell; “and as you observe that we have no time to lose, with your permission we will start to-morrow morning.”
“I certainly shall not dissuade you,” replied the commandant, “although I did hope that I should have had the pleasure of your company a little longer. You are aware that I have the Governor’s directions to supply you with cattle from our own stock, at a fair price. I hardly need say that you may select as you please.”
“And I,” said Captain Sinclair, who had been in conversation with Mary Percival, and who now addressed Mr Campbell, “have been making another collection for you from my brother-officers, which you were not provided with, and will find very useful—I may say absolutely necessary.”
“What may that be, Captain Sinclair?” said Mr Campbell.