"One of us should stay here with Magdalen Brant," he said, gravely.
"Is she not safe here?" I asked.
"You cannot leave a child like that absolutely alone," he answered.
"Then take her to Varicks'," I said, sullenly. "If she remains here some of Butler's men will be after her to attend the council."
"You wish me to go up-stairs and rouse her for a journey--now?"
"Yes; it is best to get her into a safe place," I muttered. "She may change her ideas, too, betwixt now and dawn."
He re-entered the house. I heard his spurs jingling on the stairway, then his voice, and a rapping at the door above.
Jack Mount appeared, rifle in hand, wiping his mouth with his fingers; and together we paced the yard, waiting for Sir George and Magdalen Brant to set out before we struck the Iroquois trail.
Suddenly Sir George's heavy tread sounded on the stairs; he came to the door, looking about him, east and west. His features were pallid and set and seamed with stern lines; he laid an unsteady hand on my arm and drew me a pace aside.
"Magdalen Brant is gone," he said.