convicts had filled them as she had ordered, and then,
when all was prepared for defence, she removed the lamp into the inner
room, leaving the one we were in so dark, that the Indians could not,
by looking through the chinks or loop-holes, discover where the
occupants of the cabin might be. All these arrangements she made with
the greatest coolness, and I could not help admiring her courage and
self-possession.

"Is there any more to be done, Alexander?" said she, in a mild voice.

"Where is the dog?" replied I.

"Tied up in the tobacco-shed," said she.

"Then there is no more to be done," replied I; "the dog will give you
notice of their coming, as they will first occupy the tobacco-shed as
an advanced post."

"Alexander, will you promise not to escape if I set you free?"

"Certainly not," replied I. "You set me free for your own purposes,
because you wish me to help to defend your property; and then,
forsooth, when the Indians are beat off, you will chain me again."

"No, no; that was not my feeling, as I sit here alive," replied she;
"but I was thinking that, if forced to retreat from the cabin, you
would never be able to escape, and I never could save you; but they
should hack me to pieces first."

"Answer me one question," said I. "In a time of peril like this, would
you, as a conscientious person, think that you were justified in
retaining in such fetters even a convict who had robbed you? And if
you feel that you would not, on what grounds do you act in this way to
a man whom you profess to love?--I leave it to your conscience."

She remained silent for some time: when the dog barked, and she
started up.

"I believe I am mad, or a fool," said she, sweeping back her hair from
her forehead.

She then took the key of the manacle out of her dress, and released
me.

"Alexander"--

"Silence!" said I, putting my hand to her mouth, "this is no time to
be heard speaking. Silence!" repeated I, in a whisper, "I hear them,
they are round the house."

I stood upon one of the stools and looked through a loop-hole. It was
very dark, but as the Indians stood on the hill, there was clear sky
behind them as low down as their waists, and I could perceive their
motions, as they appeared to be receiving orders from their chief; and
they advanced to the door of the cabin with axes and tomahawks. My
mistress had mounted on the table at the same time that I had got on
the stool. We now got down again without speakin