Of course a watch was kept at night, though it was not thought probable that the Indians, even should they discover the absence of Loraine and Keith, would renew the attack.
A week passed by. The sawyers and carpenters had worked so energetically, that already the fort had assumed its former appearance, with some improvements to add to its strength. There was no time to be lost, as winter was approaching, and most of the men who had arrived under Dan Maloney and Dr McCrab, had to return to Fort Edmonton.
Sybil and Effie had at first kept up their spirits, but they were growing anxious at the non-appearance of Loraine and Keith.
Evening was approaching, when a shout was raised by the sentry on the western watch-tower, that a large train was coming across the prairie, on which Norman and Hector, with several other inmates of the fort, hastened up the platform to take a look at it.
“I am much mistaken, if they are not Loraine and Keith and their party,” exclaimed Hector.
“They have carts with them, so there can be no doubt about their being white men,” said Norman.
Hector getting a telescope soon discovered that he was right in his conjectures. As the train drew nearer, the gates were opened, and a large party hurried out to meet the newcomers, who proved to be not only those who were expected, but Mr Harvey and his family, with several Indians who had accompanied them.
“He came,” he said, “to ask for protection for himself and his wife and children, as well as for the converts, until it could be ascertained that the Blackfeet had finally left the district.”
It need not be said that Loraine and Keith had warmly urged him to take this step.
Captain Mackintosh, giving him a hearty welcome, assured him of the use he would be to the inmates of the fort.