_Bur_. "Twelve oxen to one batteaux!"--"and but fifty teams!" This news was scarcely worth so much haste, I think,--but fifty teams?--Captain Maitland, had those draught horses from Canada not arrived yet? _Mait_. They were just landing this morning as I left, but only one-fourth of the number contracted for. _Bur_. Humph! I would like to know what time, at this rate----sit down, Captain Maitland, sit down--we are like to spend the summer here, for aught I see, after all. (_A long pause, in which Burgoyne resumes his reading_.) _Mait_. General Burgoyne, I am entrusted with a message from General Reidsel to the Baroness. If this is all---- _Bur_. What were you saying?--The Baroness--ay, ay--that's all well enough,--but Captain Maitland is aware, no doubt, there are more important subjects on the tapis just now than a lady's behests. _Mait_. Sir?---- _Bur_. (_Pushing the papers impatiently from him_.) This will never do. St. George! We'll give these rebels other work ere many days, than driving away cattle and breaking down bridges for our convenience. Meanwhile we must open some new source of supplies, or we may starve to death among these hills yet. Captain Maitland, I have a proposal to make to you. You are impatient, Sir. _Mait_. General Burgoyne!---- _Bur_. Nay, nay,--there's no haste about it. It were cruel to detain you now, after the toil of this wild journey. You'll find your quarters changed, Captain Maitland. We sent a small detachment across the river just now. Some of our copper-colored allies had got into a fray with the enemy there. _Mait_. Ha! (_returning_.) _Bur_. Nothing of consequence, as it turns out. We hoped it would have ended in something. A few of the enemy, who were stationed as a guard on a hill not far from Fort Edward, were surprised by a party of Indians, and killed, to a man, I believe. Afterwards, the victors got into a deadly fray among themselves as usual. A quarrel between a couple of these chiefs, at some famous watering place of theirs, and in the midst of it, a party from the fort drove them from the ground;--this is Alaska's own story at least. _Mait_. _Alaska's!_ _Bur_. Alaska?--Alaska?--yes, I think it was,--one of these new allies we have picked up here. _Mait_. (_In a whisper_.) Good God! _Bur_. By the time our detachment arrived there, however, the ground was cleared, and they took quiet possession. Are you ill, Captain Maitland? _Mait_. A little,--it is nothing. I am to cross the river. _Bur_, Yes. You will take these papers to Captain Andre. You have over-fatigued yourself. You should have taken more time for this wild journey. (_Maitland goes out_.) _Bur_. I do not like the idea of division, but it cannot be helped now. This gallant young soldier were a fitting leader for such an enterprize. * * * * * DIALOGUE IV. SCENE. _The ground before Maitland's Tent_. (_Maitland and the Indian Chief, Manida, enter_.)