is afloat, under my
care? The most d--le confusion has grown out of misunderstandings between
commanders in chief, ashore and afloat.«
    »In one sense, brother, though, in a general way, the corporal is commander
in chief. History does indeed tell us that a division of command leads to
difficulties, and I shall avoid that danger. The corporal must command, but you
can counsel freely, particularly in all matters relating to the boats, of which
I shall leave one behind, to secure your retreat should there be occasion. I
know the corporal well; he is a brave man, and a good soldier; and one that may
be relied on, if the Santa Cruz can be kept from him. But then he is a
Scotchman, and will be liable to the Quarter Master's influence, against which I
desire both you and Mabel to be on your guard.«
    »But why leave us behind, dear father? - I have come thus far to be a
comfort to you, and why not go farther?«
    »You are a good girl, Mabel, and very like the Dunhams! But you must halt
here. We shall leave the island to-morrow, before the day dawns, in order not to
be seen by any prying eyes, coming from our cover, and we shall take the two
largest boats, leaving you the other, and one bark canoe. We are about to go
into the channel used by the French, where we shall lie in wait, perhaps a week,
to intercept their supply boats that are about to pass up, on their way to
Frontenac, loaded, in particular, with a heavy amount of Indian goods.«
    »Have you looked well to your papers, brother?« Cap anxiously demanded. »Of
course, you know a capture on the high seas is piracy, unless your boat is
regularily commissioned, either as a public, or a private armed cruiser.«
    »I have the honor to hold the colonel's appointment as Serjeant Major of the
55th,« returned the other, drawing himself up with dignity, »and that will be
sufficient even for the French King. If not, I have Major Duncan's written
orders.«
    »No papers them, for a warlike cruiser.«
    »They must suffice, brother, as I have no other. It is of vast importance to
His Majesty's interests, in this part of the world, that the boats in question
should be captured and carried into Oswego. They contain the blankets, trinkets