busy interest, the marching of men,
the sailing of vessels, and above all to hear of more victories on the
high seas. What mattered a few frontier defeats in the north, when the
arrogant foe that had spurned and insulted them before the world had now
been humbled again and again.

Young Van Cortlandt was away, but the governor's reception of him
reflected the electric atmosphere--the country's pride in her sons.

Rolf had a matter of his own to settle. At the bookseller's he asked for
and actually secured a copy of the great book--"Robinson Crusoe." It was
with a thrilling feeling of triumph that he wrote Annette's name in it
and stowed it in his bag.

He left Albany next day in the gray dawn. Thanks to his uniform, he got
a twenty-five mile lift with a traveller who drove a fast team, and the
blue water was glinting back the stars when he joined Quonab at Fort
George, some sixty miles away.

In the calm betwixt star-peep and sun-up they were afloat. It was a
great temptation to stop at Hendrik's for a spell, but breakfast was
over, the water was calm, and duty called him. He hallooed, then they
drew near enough to hand the book ashore. Skookum growled, probably at
the hens, and the family waved their aprons as he sped on. Thirty miles
of lake and four miles of Ticonderoga Creek they passed and the packet
was delivered in four days and three hours since leaving.

The general smiled and his short but amply sufficient praise was merely,
"You're a good 'un."

Chapter 75. Scouting in Canada

"Thar is two things," said Si Sylvanne to the senate, "that every
national crisis is bound to show up: first, a lot o' dum fools in
command; second a lot o great commanders in the ranks. An' fortunately
before the crisis is over the hull thing is sure set right, and the men
is where they oughter be."

How true this was the nation was just beginning to learn. The fools in
command were already demonstrated, and the summer of 1813 was replete
with additional evidence. May, June, and July passed with many
journeyings for Rolf and many times with sad news. The disasters at
Stony Creek, Beaver Dam, and Niagara were severe blows to the army on
the western frontier. In June on Lake Champlain the brave but reckless
Lieutenant Sidney Smith had run his two sloops into a trap. Thus the
Growler and the Eagle were lost to the Americans, and strengthened by
that much the British navy on the lake.

Encouraged by these successes, the Bri