“They are all right,” replied the factor. “They reached Fort Elk in safety, and then went on to Fort York. So you see that the North is quiet again.”
“But that won’t avenge the burning of Fort Royal,” I said bitterly, “or the death of so many brave men.”
“The work of retribution will come later,” declared Macdonald; “be assured of that. The governor will leave no stone unturned to seek out and punish the murderers. I wish Lord Selkirk were here; he is the very bones and sinews of the company. I understand that he contemplates an early visit to the Canadas, and this outrage may hasten his arrival. And now I must be going, Carew. When you have finished your breakfast—”
“One moment, sir,” I interrupted. “I suppose there is no news of Captain Rudstone? It is foolish to ask—”
“Oh, but there is! Bless me, I quite forgot to speak of it. Let me see; there was a reference to the matter in the dispatch from Fort Charter. What did he say? Wait—I have it!”
Running his finger down the page of thick yellow paper, covered with scrawly writing, he read as follows:
“... and tell Mr. Carew that we made a further search the next week for his friend Captain Myles Rudstone. A party set out under Tom Arnold and were gone three days. But they found no trace of the unfortunate man, and there can be no doubt that he perished in the storm, and is buried deep under a drift.”
“Poor fellow!” said I. “I hoped he might turn up, but there is no chance of it now.”
“It is a strange case,” replied Macdonald. “I was familiar with Captain Rudstone’s name, but I can’t recall every having met him.”
With that the factor looked at his watch, gathered up his papers, and hurried from the room. Left to ourselves, Flora and I discussed the welcome tidings we had just heard, as well as some matters of a more personal nature. Then, breakfast finished, I reluctantly departed to my day’s work, and a few moments later I was seated at a desk in the clerk’s quarters, with ink, quill, and paper before me; for I was writing a detailed account of the siege and capture of Fort Royal, which to be forwarded to the officials of the company at Quebec.