“Walk, my boy,” said he, putting his hand on Norman’s shoulder “run, leap, and you will grow strong. Those are the Fox Islands, are they? Well, I must go down to my breakfast, they will not make much on me; I can eat a pound more than I could have when I came up.” And thus ending his walk and sentences together, he went down stairs.
It was a lovely morning; the cool breeze was exhilarating, and the morning passed quickly away as they glided through the straits that connect Lake Michigan and Lake Huron; the straits so long known under the formidable name of the Straits of Michilimackinac, now abridged to Mackinaw.
CHAPTER XX.
MACKINAW AND LAKE HURON.
In our wake there follow’d, white as flakes of snow,
Seven adventurous sea-gulls, floating to and fro;
Diving for the bounty of the bread we threw,
Dipping, curving, swerving—fishing as they flew.
Mackay.
Just after dinner they reached Mackinaw, where a number of the excursionists were to remain until the boat returned from Collingwood. The captain said they would remain at Mackinaw time enough to visit the fort.
Ready at the gangway as the boat touched the shore, Mrs. Lester, Norman, with a number of others, rushed on shore, scarcely pausing to look through the clear, transparent water at the white pebbles of the beach. Up the hill to the fort, the sun shining down on them with fervent heat, while his rays were reflected from the white walls. It was, however, a short, direct road, and the lovely view fully repaid them for the momentary heat. A peaceful scene lay beneath them; the quiet little village of Mackinaw, with its humble dwellings; the beach, sweeping round in the form of a crescent, and the placid waters of Lake Huron beyond, made a pretty picture; the sentinel walking to and fro on his post; the heavy pieces of artillery, and piles of shot and shell. Soldiers, grouped here and there, greatly interested Norman. The descent was very steep, and Norman in one minute found himself at the foot of the walled-in road which they had ascended. On arriving at the boat they found the men engaged in putting on shore sheep and cattle for the support of the soldiers, whose provision is thus brought to them. Taking advantage of the delay, Norman rushed on shore to buy some birch bark boxes, filled with maple sugar, and embroidered in porcupine quills. As he showed them to his mother on his return, she ventured up the street to buy some Indian work, emboldened by the sight of the captain walking before her.