"And have you not heard that England and the United States are openly engaged in hostilities--has Winnebeg not revealed this?" "Not a word," replied Lieutenant Elmsley, astonished, in his turn, at the information. "At another moment, and on an indifferent occasion, this mutual misunderstanding might afford room for pleasantry," continued Mr. McKenzie with a grave smile; "but it is not so. Winnebeg, I see, has been true to his trust; and although cognizant of the nature of the despatches, revealed the information to no one but myself, whom he regarded as having not only a right to possess it at the earliest moment, but as being the most proper person to advise with the commanding officer, at the earliest moment, on the measures to be adopted. I am here for that purpose; think you I shall find him alone, for I wouldn't enter upon the subject before Mrs. Headley." "I have just said that Mrs. Headley and Margaret are in attendance on the unfortunate Ronayne," replied Elmsley. "You will, therefore, be sure to find him alone, and no doubt busied in the formation of plans of operations consequent on this intelligence." "Recollect, not a word of this until it is officially revealed. I shall not even let Captain Headley know that I am aware of the facts, but simply state that, having heard he was in receipt of despatches, I had come to know if there was any news of importance. But, of one thing I would warn you, Elmsley; there will be a council of war to-morrow, and I could wish that your view of the subject may lead you to prefer defending the fort to the last extremity in preference to a long and uncertain retreat to Fort Wayne, which I know is suggested in the despatch." "I shall have no difficulty in arriving at that decision," returned the officer of the guard, "for common sense only is necessary to show the advantages of one course over the other. In the meantime, I shall evince no knowledge of what you have conveyed to me, until the hour of council. Did no other consideration weigh with me, I would oppose a movement which cuts us off from all hope of restoring the dear lost wife of Ronayne to her distracted husband." "Good bye, God bless you," answered the trader, as he moved towards the quarters of Captain Headley. "Then," mused Elmsley, when alone, "are the forebodings of that fusty old number of the National Intelligencer which I have thumbed for hours over and over again for the last three months at length finally realized--and war was come at last; well be it so! My chief anxiety is for Margaret. Would that she and all the rest of the weak women in this fortress were safe within the fortifications of Detroit; but all evil seems to be coming upon us at once." "Ah! Mr. McKenzie, I am very glad to see you," said Captain Headley, rising as the trader entered the room set apart for his library and the transaction of military official business. "Take a seat. You could not have paid me a more opportune visit."