eplied dismally.

"Oh, it's no use thinking any more about that," O'Connor said
cheerfully. "We must make the best of matters, and hope that we shall
soon be on our way back again; if not, I dare say we shall have a
pleasant time in Canada. With your knowledge of French, Conway, you
will make a great hit among the fair Canadians."

"I didn't think of that," Ralph laughed. "Yes, the prospect is a
cheering one. I promise you, O'Connor, that I will do the best I can
for you. Well, here we are alongside."

"Good afternoon, captain. When are we going to sail?" O'Connor asked
the master of the vessel as he stepped on deck.

"You must ask the clerk of the weather," the skipper replied. "At
present there is not a breath of wind stirring, and from the look of
the sky I see no chance of a change at present."

Day after day passed, and still the vessels remained at anchor. Not a
breath of wind stirred the water, and the troops had nothing to do but
to lounge idly about the decks and whistle for a breeze. Whenever a
vessel came in from England boats were lowered and rowed alongside to
get the latest news. This was little enough. It was, however, known
that all the powers had determined to refuse to recognize Napoleon as
Emperor of France, and that a great coalition against him was being
arranged. There were rumors that Belgium was likely to be the scene of
operations.

Already, by the terms of the late treaty, several English regiments
were stationed on the Belgian frontier, and three or four more were
already under orders to embark for that country. It was reported that
Russia, Austria, and Prussia were taking steps to arm. The militia had
been called out at home, and high bounties were offered for volunteers
from these regiments into the line. Recruiting was going on vigorously
all over the country. Horses were being bought up, and efforts made to
place the attenuated regiments on a war footing. All this was
tantalizing news to the Twenty-eighth. The colonel was known to have
written to influential friends in London, begging them to urge upon
the authorities the folly of allowing a fine regiment like his to
leave the country at such a moment. But little was hoped from this,
for at any moment a change in the weather might place them beyond the
possibility of a recall.

Three weeks passed and then the barometer fell, and there were signs
of a change. There was bustle and movement on board the ships, and
even the soldiers w