“Perfectly, Mr. Elmsley; we must not offend those of the Indian tribes that are disposed to be friendly toward us, for no one knows how soon we may require their aid.  The official advices I have received not only from Detroit but from Washington are of a nature to induce apprehension of hostilities between Great Britain and the United States; therefore, it would, as you justly observe, and just now particularly, be extremely bad policy to offend those whom it is so much our interest to conciliate.  Still you ought to have reported the circumstance to me, and not acted on your own responsibility.”

Lieutenant Elmsley bit his lip, and could scarcely control a movement of impatience.  “I am glad, however, sir,” he resumed after a pause, “that you find no fault with my conduct; I confess I had some little uneasiness on that score, for with you I felt that I had no right to assume the responsibility, but I knew that you had retired to your rooms, and I was unwilling to disturb you.”

“You ought to have known, Mr. Elmsley, that where duty is concerned I can never be disturbed.  However, no matter.  What you did was correctly done; only in future, fail not to make your report.  The slightest unauthorized step might be a false one, and that, under all the circumstances, is to be avoided.”

Whatever the subaltern thought of the seeming self-sufficiency which had dictated the concluding part of the lecture of the commanding officer, he made no further observation, and both in silence pursued the remainder of their short route to the bastion.

Many of the men, dressed and accoutred for the morning parade, which usually took place at about nine o’clock, were grouped around, and anxiously watching the approach of the boat, as of something they had despaired of ever again beholding.  Captain Headley drew his telescope to the proper focus, and after looking through it a few minutes—­remarked—­

“Thank Heaven, all is right—­they are all there, although it is quite unaccountable to me how they could have been detained until this morning.  And, oh! it seems they have taken a heavy draught of fish, for, although I cannot see the bottom of the boat, their feet are raised as if to prevent crushing or injuring something beneath them.  But hold! there is something wrong, too.  I do not see the usual number of muskets piled in the stern.  How can this be, Mr. Elmsley?”

“Perhaps there is not the same number of men,” suggested the lieutenant—­“some of them, for causes connected with their detention, may be coming by land.”

“Not at all.  There are seven men.  I think seven men compose the fishing party; do they not?”

“Six men, besides the non-commissioned officer; yes, sir.”

“I can make out Corporal Nixon, for he is steering and facing me, but for the others, I do not know them well enough to distinguish.  Here, Mr. Elmsley, take the glass, and try what you can make of them.”