The window, like the others in the house, commanded a view of the river and the Fort, and gave a glimpse of the boundless plains beyond. Soldiers went in and out of the stockade, apparently at pleasure, and one or two of them came across, but he looked in vain for the stalwart young officer whom he was proud to call his friend. At dinner-time he inquired about the neighbours. "Neighbours?" repeated Mrs. Mackenzie, laughing; "why, we haven't any, except at the Fort." "Are you and Uncle John really the only people here?" he asked, seriously. "No, not that. There are a few houses here. Mr. and Mrs. Burns live in one--they are our nearest neighbours--and away up beyond is Lee's place. They don't have anything to do with us, nor we with them. Two or three men and a boy live there, I believe, but we don't see much of them. They're part French and part Indian. Chandonnais used to live with them, and when we came here, he came to us. I guess that's one reason why they don't like us, for Chan's a good boy." "And Margaret?" Mrs. Mackenzie's face changed. "Poor old thing," she said sadly, "no one knows where or how she lives. We are not afraid of her, but the Indians are. They wouldn't touch a crazy person under any circumstances." "Is there a regular Indian settlement here?" "Yes, there are wigwams all along the river. They are all Pottawattomies and very friendly. The Chippewa and Winnebago tribes are farther north. John has a gift for dealing with the Indians. He has learned their language and their ways, and they treat him as if he were one of them. Did George show you the Fort this morning?" "Most of it," smiled Forsyth. "We called on the commissioned officers and that young giant ate a hearty breakfast at each place." "He is the life of the settlement, and I don't know what we'd do without him. I never saw anybody with such an inexhaustible fund of good spirits. Nothing is so bad that George can't get a joke out of it and make us laugh in spite of our trouble. Did you see Doctor Norton?" "Yes, but only for a moment." "He's jolly too, and very good to all of us." "I forgot to tell you when I first came in," said Robert, "but I met Mrs. Howard and she asked me to tell you that she was coming over to see you this afternoon." "Bless her heart," said Mrs. Mackenzie, tenderly, "she never forgets her old mother." "You'll never be old, Aunt Eleanor. I believe you have found the fountain of eternal youth." "What, another flatterer?" she asked, but the heightened colour in her cheeks showed that she was pleased. During the afternoon, while Johnny struggled manfully with digits and addition, Robert saw Mrs. Howard coming across the river. She was a fair, tall woman, very blonde, with eyes like her mother's. The Doctor stood at the entrance of the stockade, watching her, with something akin to wistfulness in his attitude. "Poor soul," thought Robert, "I expect he's lonesome."