"Where there were battles fought, son? No, I think not at this time.
We will probably go on into Ohio now without any more delays."
"There were some fights there—weren't there, papa?" asked Elsie.
"Yes; between the whites and the Indians, and between the Americans and the British and Indians, in the war of 1812-14."
"Yes, children," said Lucilla; "don't you remember papa's telling us about some of the fights near Lake Erie, and Perry's victory on the lake?"
"Oh, yes!" exclaimed both the little ones; "and his letter to General Harrison—'We have met the enemy and they are ours.' And you'll tell us about the land fights, won't you, papa?"
"Yes," he said; "one of these days; probably while we are in Ohio."
"Are we going right on now to the islands in Lake Erie, papa?" asked
Grace.
"Unless some one or more of us should desire to stop by the way," returned the captain pleasantly.
"Perhaps it would be more restful to pass a night at Pittsburg or Cincinnati," suggested Grandma Elsie; and that was what was decided upon, after a little discussion of the question.
They rested in Cleveland for another night; then, on a bright morning, passed over to the islands in a steamer. A pleasant surprise awaited them on landing; their cousin Ronald Lilburn was there with his wife Annis and her grandnephew, Percy Landreth. The last-named was one whom Captain Raymond would have preferred not to have in the company,—but merely on Lucilla's account,—and he greeted him with cordial kindness.