Part 8 (1/2)
”Rough voyage! Six weeks of it. Glad it's over,” was Sir George's laconic reply, as with equal heartiness he returned the greeting.
While introductions were made, Helen and Harold stood in the background, but the quick eye of Colonel Mason soon noted them.
”Lieutenant and Mrs. Manning,” said Sir George at last. ”You did not know, Colonel, that we had a lady on board.”
”An unusual but a pleasant surprise,” was the answer, as the officer bowed over her hand. ”I extend to Mrs. Manning a most cordial welcome.”
Helen looked very handsome that morning. The keen air had given a rosy tint to her cheek. Her eyes sparkled with interest and her closely-fitting fur coat set off her beauty to advantage.
”We never expect ladies to cross the Atlantic in midwinter, particularly on a man-of-war,” Colonel Mason continued, turning to her again. ”It takes rare courage, madam; and it is delightful to find it possessed by so young and charming a lady.”
Colonel Mason was a courteous and gallant officer of the old school.
”Thank you, sir,” she replied, her face flus.h.i.+ng with pleasure. ”It was a little trying to be the only one on board; but the officers were very good to me. I hope I did not tax their patience too much.”
”She was all right,” exclaimed Sir George with a laugh, ”until after the battle--just a little skirmish, you know--when she wanted to install herself as head nurse to the fellows who were wounded--”
”Oh, Colonel!” she exclaimed, in amazement, turning suddenly upon him.
”How could you?”
”Why! isn't it true?” he replied merrily. ”But, Mason, what news of the war?” he continued with more gravity. ”Word over the sea travels so confoundedly slow; I have heard nothing for two months.”
”I am glad to say the report is encouraging,” was the reply. ”General Hampton's forces were defeated and driven back by De Salaberry at Chateauguay Junction; and with Hampton and Wilkinson have gone back to winter on the American side of the line. Then, too, only a few weeks ago, Colonel McClure, the terror of the Twenty-Mile Creek, was driven back by Colonel Murray's regulars, a.s.sisted by loyal Indians. Up to September the invaders were right in the country all along the line; but, thank G.o.d, we can hold our own now, and intend to keep it.”
”That's good news. And how is it on the lakes?”
”Ah, that is different! So far we have had the worst of it. That naval battle of Put-in-Bay was a terrible disaster to us. Commodore Perry of the American fleet was too much for Barclay. It ended in a perfect rout.
In their hands all our officers, and half the crews of our boats, were either killed or wounded. The fact is, that battle undid all that Brock accomplished by his great victory at Hull.”
”That's bad, indeed! But what of Michigan? Surely you have better news from there.”
”Gone from us forever, I fear. We must be satisfied if we can hold our own territory, but that we're bound to do.”
”To which we all say 'Aye,'” and Sir George's words were echoed by the little group of men who had gathered round them.
”You have dispatches for me, I believe,” said Colonel Mason, preparing to lead the way.
”Yes,” replied Sir George. ”I will give them to you when we reach the Citadel.”
Sleighs with broad runners, curled up behind and before, comfortably cus.h.i.+oned, and well supplied with buffalo robes, awaited them; and cheers rang out from the crowd on the wharf as the officers, with Helen by the side of her husband, landed and took their seats. In a few minutes the sleighs in single file dashed away in the direction of the Fort.
”This is just lovely,” cried Helen in glee. She had never seen a sleigh before. The ponies trotted off at a swinging pace, the circlet of bells around each of them ringing out merrily.
”First impressions are a sure omen of the future,” returned Harold.
”This is my first sleigh ride, too, and like you, I am delighted.”
”Look at those boys and girls,” she cried again as they turned a corner.