"I am glad, at least, Winnebeg is with them," remarked Elmsley to his friend. "Whatever may be purposed by the others, neither he nor Black Partridge can have any knowledge of it. Has Serjeant Nixon had that three-pounder run up into the upper floor of the block-house, Collins?" "They are at work at it now, sir. I expect it will be all ready by the time your honor gets there, Mr. Elmsley." "You are on guard at the gate?" "I have been where you posted me, sir." "Good! Is Captain Headley gone out yet?" "Not yet, your honor. I saw him, as I came along, go towards Doctor Von Voltenberg's rooms." "We had better wait then, Ronayne, until he goes forth to assemble the council; otherwise he may interfere and play the devil with us all, by countermanding my arrangements." "And do you really mean to say that you would permit him to do so, Elmsley? I am sure I would not; for, if ever disobedience to orders could be justified it is on this occasion." "I do not exactly say that I would, Ronayne; but it is just as well to avoid clashing if possible. I confess I am no particular advocate, where the thing can be avoided, of wilfully and deliberately thwarting the authority of a commanding officer. But once he is out of the fort I shall be in command." Another non-commissioned officer entered. It was Weston, who, that morning, had been promoted to the dignity of lance corporal, and the commanding officer's immediate orderly. "Lieutenant Elmsley, the captain desires me to say that he is waiting for you and Mr. Ronayne to accompany the doctor and himself to the council." "Then," said the subaltern addressed, "you will give my compliments, Weston, to Captain Headley, and say to him that both Mr. Ronayne and myself decline attending that council--that we do not think it prudent to leave the fort without an officer, and that we conceive that having given our opinions on the matter for which the council is called, we can be of much more service here than there. Now mind, Weston, you will deliver this message respectfully, and in a manner befitting a soldier to his superior." "Certainly, sir," replied the corporal, as he touched his, cap and withdrew. "You will have a visit from himself next, Elmsley," remarked his wife. "But why refuse to attend the council? There is no enemy near us, and surely half an hour's absence on the glacis cannot much endanger the safety of the garrison, surrounded as we are by friendly Indians." "Margaret, my love," said her husband, taking her hand affectionately, "we must trust nothing to chance. No one can tell what may not occur in the interim of our absence. Who, for instance, could have foretold yesterday morning that we should be as we are to-day!" "True," said Ronayne, as he paced the room with sudden and bitter excitement; "who could have told yesterday that we should be as we are to-day? There is nothing certain in life--no, nothing--all is vanity."