As a stranger approached her, the countenance of this fair creature expressed both surprise and satisfaction; surprise that any one should have been met by Gershom, in such a wilderness, and satisfaction that the stranger proved to be a white man, and seemingly one who did not drink.

“You are Blossom,” said the bee-hunter, taking the hand of the half-reluctant girl, in a way so respectful and friendly that she could not refuse it, even while she doubted the propriety of thus receiving an utter stranger—­“the Blossom of whom Gershom Waring speaks so often, and so affectionately?”

“You are, then, my brother’s friend,” answered Margery, smiling so sweetly, that le Bourdon gazed on her with delight.  “We are so glad that he has come back!  Five terrible nights have sister and I been here alone, and we have believed every bush was a red man!”

“That danger is over, now, Blossom; but there is still an enemy near you that must be overcome.”

“An enemy!  There is no one here, but Dolly and myself.  No one has been near us, since Gershom went after the bee-hunter, whom we heard was out in the openings.  Are you that bee-bunter?”

“I am, beautiful Blossom; and I tell you there is an enemy here, in your cabin, that must be looked to.”

“We fear no enemies but the red men, and we have seen none of them since we reached this river.  What is the name of the enemy you so dread, and where is he to be found?”

“His name is Whiskey, and he is kept somewhere in this hut, in casks.  Show me the place, that I may destroy him, before his friend comes to his assistance.”

A gleam of bright intelligence flashed into the face of the beautiful young creature.  First she reddened almost to scarlet; then her face became pale as death.  Compressing her lips intensely, she stood irresolute—­now gazing at the pleasing and seemingly well-disposed stranger before her, now looking earnestly toward the still distant forms of her brother and sister, which were slowly advancing in the direction of the cabin.

“Dare you?” Margery at length asked, pointing toward her brother.

“I dare:  he is now quite sober, and may be reasoned with.  For the sake of us all, let us profit by this advantage.”

“He keeps the liquor in two casks that you will find under the shed, behind the hut.”

This said, the girl covered her face with both her hands, and sunk on a stool, as if afraid to be a witness of that which was to follow.  As for le Bourdon, he did not delay a moment, but passed out of the cabin by a second door, that opened in its rear.  There were the two barrels, and by their side an axe.  His first impulse was to dash in the heads of the casks where they stood; but a moment’s reflection told him that the odor, so near the cabin, would be unpleasant to every one, and might have a tendency to exasperate the owner of the liquor.  He cast about him, therefore, for the means of removing the casks, in order to stave them, at a distance from the dwelling.