There is but little to offer you here at Dearborn, we have been cut off from civilization so long; but such as we possess will be shared with you most gladly." De Croix chatted with him in his easy, familiar manner, as we slowly crossed the parade; while I followed them in silence, my thoughts upon the disappearance of Toinette and the Frenchman's sudden show of animosity.

My glance fell upon the groups of children scattered along our path, and I wondered which among them might prove to be Roger Matherson's little one.

At the entrance of one of the log houses fronting the parade,--a rather ambitious building of two stories, if I remember rightly, with a narrow porch along its front,--an officer was standing upon the step, talking with a sweet-faced woman who appeared scarce older than seventeen.
"Lieutenant Helm," said Ronan, politely, "this is Captain de Croix, of the French army." He presented De Croix to Mrs.Helm, and then turned inquiringly toward me.
"I believe I have failed to learn your name ?" "I am simply John Wayland," I answered, and, with a glance at my face, Lieutenant Helm cordially extended his hand.
"We are greatly pleased to welcome you both," he said earnestly, but with a grave side-glance at his young wife, "though I fear we have little to offer you except privation and danger." "How many have you in the garrison ?" I questioned, my eyes upon the moving figures about us.

"It looks a crowd, in that narrow space." "They are all there who are able to crawl," he said, with a grave smile.
"But in this case our numbers are a weakness.

In the garrison proper we have four commissioned officers, with fifty-four non-commissioned officers and privates.