he evening, Alfred was seen returning on
horseback at full speed. The whole of the family were out watching his
arrival, with beating hearts; poor Mrs. Campbell in almost a fainting
state. Alfred perceived them long before he had crossed the prairie, and
waved his hat in token of good tidings.

"All's well, depend upon it, my dear," said Mr. Campbell. "Alfred would
not wave his hat if there was any disaster."

"I must have it from his own mouth," said Mrs. Campbell, almost
breathless.

"Safe?" cried out Martin to Alfred, as he approached.

"Safe, quite safe!" cried Alfred, in return.

"Thank Heaven!" cried Mrs. Campbell, in a low voice, clasping her hands
in gratitude.

Alfred leaped off his saddle, and hastened to communicate the news.
John, trusting too much to his own powers, had gone out in the punt, and
soon found out that he could not manage it in so strong a wind. He
attempted to get back to the beach, but was unsuccessful, and had, as we
have said, been carried away by the wind and current down toward the
rapids; but it so happened, that before Alfred had arrived at the fort,
Captain Sinclair had observed the punt adrift, and, by the aid of a
telescope, ascertained that John was in it, exerting himself very
vigorously, but to no purpose. Captain Sinclair, having reported to the
commandant and obtained permission, had launched one of the _bateaux_,
manned by the soldiers, and had brought John and the punt on shore,
about four miles below the fort, and not until they had arrived in the
strong current of the rapids, which in another hour would have, in all
probability, proved fatal. Alfred, from the fort, had seen Captain
Sinclair gain the shore, with John and the punt in tow, and, as soon as
he was satisfied of his brother's safety, had ridden back as fast as he
could, to communicate it. This intelligence gave them all great delight,
and now that they knew that John was safe, they waited his return with
patience. Captain Sinclair arrived, with John behind him, on horseback,
about two hours afterward, and was gladly welcomed.

"Indeed, Captain Sinclair, we are under great obligations to you. Had
you not been so active, the boy might have been lost," said Mrs.
Campbell. "Accept my best thanks."

"And mine," said Mary, extending her hand to him.

"John, you have frightened me very much," said Mrs. Campbell; "how could
you be so imprudent as to go on the lake in such a high wind? See, what
a narrow escape y