This careless French girl, whom I had known for scarcely two days, was not one to be easily guided, even had I either reason or excuse for attempting it.
"'T is strange," she said, musingly, "that she has never so much as spoken to me about it; yet she was always shy of speech in such matters." "Of whom do you speak, Toinette ?" questioned De Croix.
"Of Master Wayland's young friend with the Kinzies," she answered, the old sprightliness again in her voice.

"I know her very well, Monsieur,--a dear, sweet girl,--and shall be only too glad to speed you on to her.

Yet 't is not so easy of accomplishment, hemmed in as we are here now.

Yonder is the light, Master Wayland; but much of peril may lurk between.

'Tis not far, were the way clear; indeed, in the old days of peace a rope ferry connected Fort and house, but now to reach there safely will require a wide detour and no little woodcraft.