forth to pay its last tribute of
respect to one who was mourned by friends and foes alike. Flags
hung half-mast high, the guns had boomed a salute, and the bells of
the city had tolled in solemn cadence as the coffin was borne to
the quay and reverently carried to the place prepared for it upon
the ship.

Now all was bustle and animated farewell as the sailors began to
make preparations for unfurling the sails and hoisting up the
anchor. Julian and Fritz stood together a little apart from the
crowd; their hands were locked in a close clasp. The tie which
bound them together was a very strong and tender one.

"You will come back, Julian? you will not forsake these Western
lands, which must always seem to me more like home than any country
beyond the seas--even England, which we call our home. You will
come back?"

"Yes, I shall come back; the lands of the great West ever seem to
be calling me. I do but go to make good my promise to him that is
gone; then I shall return, and cast in my lot with the English
subjects of Canada."

"They say you are to receive promotion, Julian. You will rise to be
a man of place in this colony. I am certain of it. You have
talents, address, courage; and you are always beloved of French and
English alike. I have heard men talk of you, and point you out as a
rising man. They will want such over here when Canada has passed
into English keeping."

"They will find me ready to do my best if ever they should desire
to use me. I want nothing better than to serve my country, and to
heal the wound between the two nations who have struggled so long
for supremacy in the West."

"You will come back--I am sure of it--a man of place and
importance. But you will be the same Julian still, my brother and
friend. And, Julian (am I wrong in thinking it?), you will not come
back alone?"

A slight flush rose in Julian's face; but he answered quietly:

"I hope not; I believe not."

"Mademoiselle Corinne--" began Fritz, but paused there; for the
girl was close beside them, having come up with her aunt, Madame
Drucour, to say goodbye to the group of friends gathered to see
them off.

Fritz saw the quick glance which flashed between her and Julian as
their eyes met, and he felt that he had got his answer. When Julian
came back to Canada, he would not come alone.

The last farewells were said; the deck was crowded by those who
were to sail away; the musical call of the seamen rose and fell as
the sai