“Well, Clyde, what news from the fort?” the major asked.
“Stirring times, major; and the general bids me tell you to report at once, as he wants you to lead an expedition to the south.”
“Indeed! Well, we will depart to-night.”
“Pardon me, major, but General Canton has ordered me to remain at the settlement until our friends have their cabins built and crops in, and I am to retain command of twenty of your men.”
Major Belden frowned visibly at this news, and compressed his lips as though in anger; but he said nothing, and walked off in search of Sibyl Conrad. He soon found her seated upon the river bank, a book in one hand, a fishing rod in the other.
“Well, Miss Sibyl, seeking food for both body and mind, I see,” he remarked pleasantly, as he walked up.
“Yes, sir; and both are the most agreeable occupations I could be engaged in.”
“I thought that you might be at least glad to see me, as I leave you to-morrow, or rather to-night, having been ordered to the fort to command a most dangerous expedition.”
As he said this, the officer gazed down into the beautiful face to mark the effect of his words.