to Pennsylvania
in 1809. The first building there was a French fort, supposed to have
been erected in 1749. I think some of its remains--ramparts and
ditches--are still to be seen upon a point overlooking the entrance to
the harbor. When Canada became an English possession the fort was
allowed to go to decay."

"Why, papa?" asked Ned.

"Because it was no longer needed, my son. The blockhouse built by
General Wayne fell into decay and was replaced by a new one in the
winter of 1813-14, and a second one was built on the point of the
peninsula of Presqu' Isle. The old one was burned by some mischievous
person in 1853."

"Well, my dear, I highly approve of your expressed intention to take
us to Erie to-morrow," said Violet in a lively tone, as the captain
seemed to have come to the end of his account. "I am sure that I for
one shall be greatly interested in everything there connected with the
past history of our country."

All present seemed to be of the same opinion, and before separating
for the night every arrangement was made for an early start next
morning.

The yacht was again in motion at an early hour--even before any of her
passengers were out of their beds. The sun had not yet appeared above
the horizon when the captain was joined upon the deck by Percy
Landreth.

"Ah, good-morning, Percy," he said in his usual pleasant tones.
"Showing yourself so early a bird makes me fear you have not found
your berth as comfortable a couch as could be desired."

"But it is surely none too early for a perfectly healthy fellow to be
out, and I was anxious to see the sun rise. I never have seen it come
up out of the water."

"Then I advise you to gaze steadily eastward, and you will see it
apparently do that in five minutes or less."

Captain Raymond had a strong suspicion that the beautiful sight they
presently witnessed was not all the young man had joined him for at
that early hour, so he was not surprised when the next moment Percy,
turning a rather flushed, embarrassed face toward him, said
entreatingly, "Captain, I am sure you are a very kind-hearted man;
will you not remove your prohibition of two years ago, and let me tell
Miss Lu how I admire and love her?"

"Better not, my young friend," returned the captain pleasantly.
"Believe me, you would gain nothing by it, even were her father
willing to let her listen to such protestations and engage herself
while she is still so young."

"Then she is still free?