portunity for stretching their legs, the two younger officers set
briskly forth on foot, and were soon far in advance of the slow-moving
wagon.

"I would that our journeyings beyond this point lay in the same
direction, Hester," remarked Ensign Christie, when they found
themselves alone. "Although we have not known each other long, I feel
as though we were old friends, for I have rarely met a fellow to whom I
have taken so great a liking in so short a time."

"Thank you, old man. For my part, I heartily reciprocate the feeling,"
replied Donald, "and I wish with all my heart that you were going to
Detroit with me. Not only should I rejoice in your company, but I
should like to have you meet my father and sister."

"I have already had the pleasure of meeting Miss Hester," rejoined
Christie.

"You have!" exclaimed Donald; "when? where? why didn't you tell me
before?"

"I met her at a ball given by General Amherst, the night before her
departure from New York, and had the honor of dancing with her. That I
have not mentioned the fact was because I feared to recall to you an
unpleasant memory of a conversation between Bullen and myself,
regarding her, that you must have overheard at Sir William's, that
time, you know, when you so neatly floored my Latin."

"What an asinine thing that was, on my part," laughed Donald. "I only
overheard a few bits of your conversation, and interrupted it in that
stupid manner, for fear lest I should be tempted to act the
eavesdropper. But tell me, since you have seen Edith so recently, is
she so good looking as they say? I have not seen her for more than a
year, you know."

"She is the most beautiful creature that ever I laid eyes on, as well
as the sweetest and most charming," replied Christie, with such warmth
that Donald eyed him curiously.

"It was the unanimous opinion of all the men who saw her that evening,"
continued Christie, flushing slightly beneath the other's searching
gaze. "As for poor Bullen, he was so completely fascinated, that he
had neither eyes nor speech for any one else, though there were dozens
of charming girls present. But, I say, Hester! Saw you ever a more
frightful place than this, or a more deadly situation for an ambuscade?"

Their road had, after its first sharp ascent from the river, followed
the verge of those stupendous cliffs which rise sheer and bare on the
eastern side of the mighty torrent that has channelled them. The young
men had