revenue, and that of this spot. In my judgment,
Master Cap, this is a very unmilitary position, and I look to some calamity's
befalling it, sooner or later.«
    »It is to be hoped not until our turn of duty is over,« observed Mabel. »I
have no wish to study the French language.«
    »We might think ourselves happy, did it not prove to be the Iroquois. I have
reasoned with Major Duncan on the occupation of this position, but a wilfu' man
maun ha' his way. My first object, in accompanying this party, was to endeavour
to make myself acceptable and useful to your beautiful niece, Master Cap; and
the second was to take such an account of the stores that belong to my
particular department, as shall leave no question open to controversy,
concerning the manner of expenditure, when they shall have disappeared by means
of the enemy.«
    »Do you look upon matters as so serious?« demanded Cap, actually suspending
his mastication of a bit of venison, for he passed alternately, like a modern
élégant, from fish to flesh and back again, in the interest he took in the
answer. »Is the danger pressing?«
    »I'll no say just that; and I'll no say, just the contrary. There is always
danger in war, and there is more of it, at the advanced posts, than at the main
encampment. It ought, therefore, to occasion no surprise were we to be visited
by the French, at any moment.«
    »And what the devil, is to be done, in that case? - Six men and two women
would make but a poor job, in defending such a place as this, should the enemy
invade us, as no doubt Frenchmen like, they would take very good care, to come
strong handed.«
    »That we may depend on. Some very formidable force, at the very lowest. A
military disposition might be made, in defence of the island, out of all
question, and according to the art of war, though we would probably fail in the
force necessary to carry out the design, in any very creditable manner. In the
first place, a detachment should be sent off, to the shore, with orders to annoy
the enemy in landing. A strong party ought instantly to be thrown into the
block-house, as the citadel, for on that all the different detachments would
naturally fall back for support, as the French advanced, and an entrenched camp
might be