For several days after the return of Ross and his friends to Fort Meigs, the weather continued foul. Then it grew warm and bright with sunshine. With the change in the weather, came a change in the aspect of affairs. Hostilities were not renewed; an exchange of prisoners was effected. The savages, discouraged by Proctor’s want of success in reducing the American garrison, began to desert his standard in large numbers. Realizing the uselessness of prolonging the siege, the British commander prepared to abandon the enterprise; and on the ninth of the month he took his departure. The investment of the post had lasted thirteen days. During that time the enemy had fired eighteen hundred shells and cannon balls into the fort, and had kept up an annoying discharge of small arms; yet the American loss in killed and wounded was only two hundred and seventy. Offensive operations were for a time suspended. The American troops remained at Fort Meigs and Sandusky. A few days after the British had withdrawn, General Harrison left General Clay in command of the post, and set out for Franklinton, to forward re-enforcements. With the commander and his escort, went Ross Douglas and his friends. Without mishap or adventure, the whole company reached their destination in the latter part of May. At Franklinton, Amy Hilliard bade farewell to Ross and La Violette and, joining a party of returning settlers, went to her father’s people in western Pennsylvania. Upon their arrival at Franklinton, Ross Douglas and Violet Brownlee were married. In the early part of July the young husband returned to Fort Meigs. He served throughout the war, as scout and guide, with credit to himself and advantage to his country’s cause. Bright Wing went with his white friend, and was his companion in many a perilous enterprise. Farley and Duke remained at Franklinton, with La Violette. “I am loth to have you go, Ross,” she said when he informed her of his purpose. “You may never come back to me. Still, do whatever you feel is your duty—I would not hold you back. _Your_ country is _my_ country now. God bless and keep you!” Fondly kissing her, he bade her farewell. At the door of the cabin that was his temporary abode, he met Farley. The eccentric Joe held out his hands, saying: “Good-by, Ross Douglas. I hope this trip’ll be as lucky to you as y’r last one—I do, by ginger! I’ll take good keer o’ y’r purp an’ the little woman. An’ if you git killed, I’ll marry La Violette myself—I will, by King Solerman’s six hundred wives! I think she’s kind o’ struck with my good looks an’ beauty a’ready—I do, by——” “Good-by, Joe—good-by!” Ross interrupted, smiling. “Let no harm befall her, old friend. Good-by!” And he was gone, leaving Farley staring after him.