baby before the fire. It was an old darky lullaby, and the
faithful servant had sung it to her when she was a child. It brought
back memories of her youthful days, which now seemed so long ago and
like a dream.

"Doan stan' dere, chile," Mammy at length reminded. "Yo'll get yo'
deff a col'."

Jean turned, picked up a shawl and threw it over her head.

"I am going to run over to see Mrs. Watson for a while," she said.
"Danny was not well to-day, so I am anxious to know how he is getting
along. With her husband away, Mrs. Watson must be very lonely tonight."

Mrs. Watson was greatly pleased to see the girl, and offered her a seat
near the fire.

"How is Danny?" Jean asked.

"He is much better, I think, and is sleeping soundly," the mother
replied, as she stole on tip-toe to the side of the rough cradle, and
looked down fondly upon the little white face. "John was so sorry to
go away with the baby sick," she continued, coming back to the fire.
"I do hope there will be no fighting. Suppose some of our men should
be killed!"

"I have great confidence in the rangers, and Mr. Davidson told me that
not likely there would be any fighting," Jean comforted. "I believe he
has some plan to entrap the rebels."

"Let us hope that he is right," and Mrs. Watson sighed as she rose and
placed a big stick upon the fire. "How cold the nights are getting. I
wonder how we shall manage through the winter."

"We have plenty of wood, anyway, Mrs. Watson, and so should keep warm.
And we have enough meat to last us for months. When the _Polly_ brings
our supplies, we shall have an abundance of everything."

"I wonder what can be keeping that boat, Jean. We expected her before
this. I hope Captain Leavitt has not forgotten us."

"He will come in time, never fear. We should have news, too, from our
old home. How strange it is to be shut off for months with no
communication with the great world beyond."

"It is like being buried live, dear. And just think of the long winter
ahead, with snow and ice everywhere."

"But we shall make our little world right here, Mrs. Watson. I am
looking forward to the winter. We are going to have a cosy, happy
time, and lots of fun at Christmas. The children are talking about it
already, and I know that wonderful presents are being made. I have
been working at mine for some time, and I suppose you will have
something for Danny."

Mrs. Watson smiled as she rose and took down a littl