"Both important questions," returned the Captain. "There is another serious one, too. In three or four weeks, perhaps half that time, winter will break up. The spring thaw and cold rains will come, and better shelter for our people will then be imperative."
"True," said the Colonel. "You already have your plans."
For some moments there was a pause while they scanned the outlook.
"Yes," said the engineer at last, "beside the men's camp, near the margin of the hill, will be a good place for the garrison. It commands the whole length of the bay to its mouth and Beausoliel Island beyond. You couldn't have a better place for a fort. In it you might have officers' rooms as well, and later on build your shipyard at the foot of the hill down by the bay."
"What about the men's quarters?"
"Build them right behind the fort."
"You notice that little narrow island to the south of Latimer's boat?"
"Yes; it commands the mouth of the harbor direct, and would be a fine place to build a magazine with a battery of guns."
"A good idea, Captain. When summer comes perhaps we can manage it with our light cannon. It is lucky they were no bigger. If they had been it would have been impossible to portage them so far through the woods."
"To put up the buildings every man will have to work," said Payne.