ruddy glow of the setting sun, whose rays tinged the
branches of the groves of aspen, birch, poplar, and spruce, which could
be seen at some distance away, both to the east and west. It stood on
the top of some high ground, rising abruptly from the margin of a stream
flowing by on the north side.

The fort consisted of a square palisade, thirty feet or so in height,
with rough wooden towers at each angle, connected by a narrow platform,
which ran round inside the walls, a few feet below their summit. The
only entrance was by a gate, flanked by two additional towers. This
could be secured by strong bars, but was destitute of ditch,
draw-bridge, or portcullis. The interior of the quadrangle was occupied
by the residence of the chief factor and clerks, a hall used as an
audience room, and a store-house, besides the dwellings of the hunters
and their wives and children, and other persons forming the garrison.
The land immediately round the fort had been cleared of trees; but there
was a forest on one side, and scattered groups of timber on the other,
affording abundance of wood for building purposes and fuel.

There was much beauty in the surrounding scenery, especially when the
roses were in full bloom, and other flowers of varied hue enamelled the
prairie. In a room of the fort, furnished with far more elegance than
is generally seen in the north-west territory, sat two young ladies.
Though both attractive, they differed greatly from each other. The
youngest, of small figure, was fair, with light hair and blue, laughing
eyes, her rosy mouth constantly wreathed in smiles. The elder was
somewhat taller, of a richer colour, with dark brown hair, and was even
more attractive in appearance than her companion. They were busily
employed with their needles, talking in the mean time on some
interesting subject, when their conversation was interrupted by the
entrance of a fine lad, who, although a couple of years older, might
have been known by his strong resemblance to be the brother of Hector
Mackintosh.

"Come along, Sybil--come along, Effie--if you want to see a war-chief,
thoroughly got up in his finest toggery," exclaimed Norman. "He is
Mysticoose, or the Roaring Bull, not a very romantic name--a great
leader among the Blackfeet. He has come to sell several packages of
peltries and a whole lot of buffalo robes. He'll probably take his
departure before long; so if you want to inspect him, you must come at
once."