the sooner her errand was done, the sooner she should
return with a mind at rest. She began to reckon how long before she
should be at home again. In a week, in less time if they were fortunate,
they should reach Louisburg. She should not want more than five minutes'
talk with Mr. Archdale. Then it would be home again immediately. Her
father had hired the schooner for the very reason that it should not be
detailed for any other service, but should bring them back at once.
How strange it was, she thought, to spend fourteen days for only five
minutes' conversation, and that, too, with one who was no especial
friend except through his engagement to Katie. But for all the weariness
she was thankful to do it, and grateful to her father. She hoped that
she should not catch even a glimpse of Edmonson, and it seemed
improbable that she would. After the siege was over he would probably go
to England again. How she wished he were there now, and she quietly at
home, where in that case she might have been now.

The next day there was a head wind, and the day following no wind at
all. As time went on, it grew evident that it would be more than a week
from their starting before they could drop anchor in Cabanus Bay. Dread
lest they should be too late began to harass Elizabeth. But she showed
no impatience. Her silence was what Nancy noticed most. But, then, Nancy
liked talking, and did not enjoy the books which her Mistress had
brought with her and read most persistently, or sometimes tried to read,
unsuccessfully. Even then they served as a protection against the maid's
talk when she was in too anxious a mood to endure it.

On the morning of the seventeenth they caught sight of the "Little
Gibraltar," but the wind was against them, and it was the afternoon of
the next day before the Captain of the schooner could run into the Bay,
and go ashore with his dispatches and Mistress Royal's message to the
General.

Elizabeth looked about her with breathless interest, realizing that here
she was to find war. It happened that on her arrival there was a lull in
the cannonading. Both sides had paused to draw breath, but the lull was
far from perfect silence, and to her inexperience this occasional
thunder of bursting shells seemed sharp conflict. She said so to the
Captain as they drew toward shore.

"Bless yer!" he answered with a laugh. "This ain' t no thin' at all,
this is nothin' but child's play. Wait till yer see it hot and heavy. I