The Canadian Brothers (Volume I) or The Prophecy Fulfilled

ceding day, was fine, and the river exhibited the same placidity of surface. Numerous bodies of Indians were collected on the banks, pointing to, and remarking on the singularity of the white flag

iously, although, in the animated look which the young sailor turned upon her in the next instant, there was evidence the contact had thrilled electrically to his heart. After exchanging a cordial pressure of the hand with his gallant entertainers, and reiterating to the General his thanks for the especial favor conferred upon him, the venerable Major followed them to the boat. His departure was the signal for much commotion among the Indians. Hitherto they had had no idea of what was in contemplation; but when they saw them enter and take their seats in the boat, they raised one of those terrific shouts which have so often struck terror and d

ubbles that arose to the surface. Among the number was Henry Grantham, and, at a short distance from him, sat the old but athletic negro, Sambo, who, not having been required to accompany Gerald, to whom he was especially attached, had continued to linger on the bank long after his anxious eye had lost sight of the boat in which the latter had departed. While thus engaged, a new direction was given to the interest of all parties, by a peculiar cry, which reached them from a distance over the water, apparently from beyond the near extremity of the Island of Bois Blanc. To the officer

ked Henry Grantham, who, as well as his companions, had strained

with his finger to what in fact had the appearance of being little larger; "I wish," he pursu

no loss to understand why the latter epithet had been so emphatically bestowed; "I see (winking to Henry Grantham) you have

a dam tief in e night and I tell a Massa Geral-and Massa Geral and me chase him all ober e water-I n

urcy quaintly, "then the Lord deliv

esponded

old Frumpy here remind one of a certain Irish fes

ambo conceived it a personal affront to himself, and he said, with

a color. He no Frumpy-Massa Geral no like an Irish bestibal. I wonder h

ture was striving hard to check the rising tear-"there is not an officer here who does not respect you for your long attachment to my fam

the sixth who appeared, to be the leader, stood upright in the bow, waving from the long pole to which it was attached a human scalp. A few minutes and the whole had landed, and were encircled on the bank by their eager and inquiring comrades. Their story was soon told. They had encountered two Americans at some distance on the opposite shore, who were evidently making the best of their way through the forest to Detroit. They called upon them to deliver themselves up, but the only answer was an attempt at flight. Th

ay I nebber see a hebben ib he not a calp of a younger Desborough. I know him lying tief by he hair-he all yaller like a sogers breast plate-curse him rascal (and his w

s of "gin sling," at the inn to which I had conducted him, he threw his slouched hat unceremoniously on the table, and rubbed the

his slayers are exhibiting to their companions. There are the identical powder ho

esterday morning, his blanket coat came open, and discovered the weapon on which I kept a sharp eye, during the whole time. Had he but

ourcy, I well recollect the hair, and I also particularly noticed the ha

r a moment, now returned, bearing the knife, at the extremity of the handle

This then is conclusive, and we have to congratulate ourselves that one at least of two of

in his tones, as he returned the knife to the Indian; "he dam 'serter from a king! No, no, he neb

language of that individual, "and he, I take it, is by far the more formidable of the two. I expect t

ainy has in part met its reward. I confess I think in the death of young Desborough, less even because a dangerous enemy has been removed, than because in his fall the heart of the father will

serve as his orderly. Full evidence being now had that this was a flag sent from the American Fort, which had, in all probability, missed Gerald by descending one channel of the river formed by Turkey Island, while the latter had ascended by the other, the aid-de-camp, De Courcy hastened to acquaint General Brock with the circumstance, and to receive his orders. By the time the American reached the landing place, the youth had returned, accompanying a superior officer of the staff. Both descended the flight of steps leading to the river, when, having saluted the officer, after a moment or two of conversation, they proceeded to blindfold him. This precaution having been taken, the American was then handed over the gun-wale of the boat, and assisted up the flight of steps by the two British officers on whose arms he leaned. As they passed through the crowd, on their way to the Fort, the ears of the stranger were assailed by loud yells from the bands of Indians, who, with looks of intense curiosity and interest, gazed on the p

nto this the American Colonel, for such was his rank, after traversing the area of the fort that lay between, was now ushered, and, the bandage

w moments of pause succeeding these greetings, "relates I p

is of a wholly different nature. I am deputed by the officer commanding the forces of the United States, to summ

, this very day, sent a flag to General Hull; I have caused it to be intimated, that, failing to comply with my summons, he may on the ensuing Sabbat

ch then, General, is yo

ll dawn, than that the force I have the honor to

General," said the American piquedly, "that you do not even

pted openly. In the broad face of day will I lead my troops to the trenches. By this time

t my boat kept as nearly in the m

land. The officer in charge was moreover accompanied by two of the pris

pted the American quickl

Montg

as the other offic

teer in the expedition-one in short, whose earnest wish to reach Detroit,

rtant in rank, and yet so filled with ardor in the ca

, Colonel, as the niece of your

he spoke, while he mechanically placed on the table a glass of wine

de coeur-while the seniors were no less ready to infer that they now had arrived at the true secret of the impatience of Miss Montgomerie to reach the place of her destination. To the penetrating eye of the General, however, there was an expression of

the dangers attendant on an expedition of this kind, in an open boat-but Miss Montgomerie, I confess, appears to me to be one who

date, invited him to partake of some refreshment, which had been prepared for him in an adjoining apartment. This the American at first faintly declined, on the plea of delay having been prohibited by his chief; but, on the General jocosely remarking that, sha

ed evidences of an interest that had its foundation in something more than the mere esteem which dictated the conduct of her mother and sister. If Julia D'Egville was in reality the laughing, light hearted, creature represented in the mess

e deep deplorers of the war and the non-communication which it occasioned; alluded to the many delightful parties that had taken place, yet were now interrupted; and to the many warm friendships which had b

contained the offer of an asylum for herself and daughters in case Amherstburg should be carried by storm, as, consideri

le friend, the General, has pledged himself to anticipate any attempt to make our soil the theatre of war-still, does it give me pleasure to be enabled to recipr

eviously retired to the General, than discarding all reserve, and throwing himself on his kn

uld give you to my view, and now that fortune, propitious beyond my utmost expectations, affords me the happiness of speaking to you whom I had feared neve

ted girl, plainly told that this passionate appeal

erefore, may I hope? In less than a week, many who have long been friends will meet as enemies. Let me then at least have th

s yours and yours forever-but do not unnecessarily expose yourse

heart. Gertrude, you are witness of her vow, and before you, under more auspicious circumstances, will I cla

n, Julia has been no longer the gay girl she was. Her dejection has been subject of remark with all, and such is her dislike to

dearest Julia, that I ventured to express the feeling with which you had inspired me. It was then I had first

nsiderate in me to have written, but I could not resist the desire to afford you wh

ote! and by w

eral has sent a flag this morning to Detroit, and, under its protection, two p

nfided the letter?" interrupted

know that my father, with his usual hospitality, insisted on Major Montgomerie and his niece

riedly exclaimed the Colonel, starting to his feet,

write to you,-I imagined you would be glad to hear from me, and thought that the niece of one of your officers would be the

dent. But what said she-how looked she

he had once known something of you herself; and her look and voice were calm, and her ch

receive her trust?" again

imate her still but beautiful features. Yet why all these questions, Ernest? Or can it really be? Tell me," and the voi

;" impressively re

my heart, Ernest, but wherefore your al

as you have acted for the best, I cannot blame you. Still I doubt not," and the tones of the American were low and

ndromache disa

rise," interrupted Gert

ave the little party (for Gertrude was scarcely less agitated than her sister) time to recover from their embarassment. Some casual conversation then ensued, when the American, despite of Mrs. D'Egville's declaration that he could not have touched a single thing during

eration of blindfolding; after which he was reconducted to the beach, where his boat's crew, who had in their turn been supplied with refreshments, were ready to receive him. As on his arrival, the loud yellings of th

owledgments for the courtesy. His answer to the summons, however, was that having a force fully adequate to the purpose, he was prepared to defend the fort to the last extremity, and waiving his own original plan of attack, would await the B

lt at the termination of the third day. By both troops and Indians, this intelligence was received with pleasure; for all, sanguine as th