Her head moved slightly, acquiescent.

“So far so good, then.  Now, when this army moves into the wilderness, and when I go, and you remain, you will have clothing that befits you; you will have means to properly maintain you; and I shall send you by batteau to Mr. Hake, who will find lodging suitable for you—­ and be your friend, and recommend you to his friends not only for my sake, but, when he sets his eyes on you, for your own sake.”  I smiled, and added: 

“Hiero!  Little rosy-throated pigeon of the woods!  Loskiel has spoken!”

Now, as I ended, this same and silly wild-thing fell silently a-crying; and never had I dreamed that any maid could be so full o’ tears, when by all rights she should have sat dimpling there, happy and gay, and eager as I.

Out o’ countenance again, and vexed in my mind, I sat silent, fidgetting, made strange and cold and awkward by her tears.  The warm flush of self-approval chilled in my heart; and by and by a vague resentment grew there.

“Euan?” she ventured, lifting her wet eyes.

“What?” said I ungraciously.

“H—­ have you a hanker?  Else I use my scandalous skirt again——­”

And the next instant we both were laughing there, she still in tears, I with blithe heart to see her now surrender at discretion, with her grey eyes smiling at me through a starry mist of tears, and the sweet mouth tremulous with her low-voiced thanks.

“Ai-me!” she said.  “What manner of boy is this, to hector me and have his will?  And now he sits there laughing, and convinced that when the army marches I shall wear his finery and do his bidding.  And so I shall—­ if I remain behind.”

“Lois!  You can not go to Catharines-town!  That’s flat!”

“I’ve wandered hungry and ragged for two years, asking the way.  Do you suppose I have endured in vain?  Do you suppose I shall give up now?”

“Lois!” I said seriously, “if it is true that the Senecas hold any white captives, their liberation is at hand.  But that business concerns the army.  And I promise you that if your mother be truly there among those unhappy prisoners she shall be brought back safely from the Vale Yndaia.  I will tell Major Parr of this; he shall inform the General.  Have no fear or doubt, dear maid.  If she is there, and human power can save her, then is she saved already, by God’s grace.”

She said in a quiet voice: 

“I must go with you.  And that is why—­ or partly why—­ I asked you here tonight.  Find me some way to go to Catharines-town.  For I must go!”

“Why not inquire of me the road to hell?” I asked impatiently.  She said between her teeth: 

“Oh, any man might show me that.  And guide me, too.  Many have offered, Euan.”

“What!”

“I ask your pardon.  Two years of camps blunts any woman’s speech.”

“Lois,” said I uneasily, “why do you wish to go to Catharines-town, when an armed force is going?”