"Tell me," she pleaded, for the third time, "haven't they been gone long enough to get back?" "Yes," he answered finally; "they have. They should have been here long ago." "I knew it!" she exclaimed. "I'm going to the blockhouse to see if they aren't coming!" She called to those above her, but no one heard, so she went up the ladder. "Where are they?" she cried, bursting in upon the startled group. Even as she spoke there was a faint "halloo" from the west. "They're coming," shouted Robert, but his voice was lost, for the sentinel at the gate had heard also. The parade-ground filled with people, and Beatrice had turned to descend the ladder, when Robert caught her by the arm. "Beatrice!" he gasped. "Let me know the worst--do you despise me?" "Yes," she answered, coolly. "Please let go of me, and never dare to touch me again." The gate was lifted and seven men came in, carrying the mattress on which lay Mrs. Burns and her baby. Mrs. Franklin led the way to her hospitable door, where Mrs. Mackenzie and Katherine were already waiting to do what they could in the way of making the mother and child comfortable. It was Mrs. Mackenzie who first noticed that Ronald was not with them. "Where's George?" she asked, in a low tone. "He's gone up the river, ma'am," answered one of the soldiers. "We begged him not to, but he would go, and he wouldn't let a one of us go with him. He thought he heard a noise, so he went up-stream to see what it was." Mr. Burns had seen no Indians, but, like the others, thought they were gathering in the woods. He was far away from the house at the time the man had shouted the warning; but he had heard the two shots at Lee's and the guns from the Fort. "Captain," said Lieutenant Howard, "I'll be one of a party to go and find Ronald. He's probably up at Lee's." "You won't," growled the Captain, biting his mustache. "Just because the young fool chooses to risk his life for nothing, I won't expose five or six men to danger. We have none to spare." "How did he go?" asked the Doctor of Mr. Burns. "He took my boat. He'll pull back down-stream quick enough if anything is wrong." "No he won't," returned the Doctor, warmly; "you don't know the lad." Robert walked back and forth on the parade-ground, sorely troubled on his own account, and deeply concerned for the safety of his friend. Mackenzie shared his anxiety, but quickly vetoed the suggestion that they two follow him. "'T ain't no manner of use, Rob," he said, kindly. "We're under military orders, and you heard what the Captain said. Besides, that dare-devil boy ain't afraid of anything, and I guess he'll come out with a whole skin--he always has." "Were you thinking of going after him, Cousin Rob?" asked Beatrice, sweetly.