Two afternoons later Helen went with the women Bond and Hardman to
gather blackberries, which were ripening in rich profusion upon bushes
scattered along the southern border of a copse of hemlock. The women had
been gathering the fruit for days, and on this occasion Helen had
arranged to go with them. For a while all laughed and chatted and picked
the berries side by side; but as the good patches became more scattered,
they drifted apart, each working on in silence.
Helen's pail was almost full, and she was on the point of hailing her
companions to return to the garrison, when the report of a gun in the
adjacent woods startled her. There was a tramping, a rustling, a
dividing of the bushes, and the huntsman appeared.
"This is a surprise! I hope my shot did not frighten you," exclaimed
Captain Cummings, who carried a brace of partridges in one hand and his
fowling-piece in the other. "I had no idea that there was anyone so
near. It was lucky that I was not shooting in this direction."
"I am as much surprised as you are," replied Helen. "I thought all the
officers were in consultation this afternoon at the island."
"Oh, yes! we gathered together for an hour. Sir George wanted to
discuss the arrangement of the guns and port-holes of the magazine. Then
some of us were detailed to duty; Lieutenant Manning to the men at the
bridge, Captain Payne to planting the guns, Smith to the fort works, and
myself, for a wonder, for an hour's sport. Don't you think I'm doing
pretty well for an amateur? This bird was not by any means near, yet I
took his head clean off."
Helen acquiesced. She had not forgotten the conversation of the previous
day, but was gathering herself together, while thoughts innumerable
chased each other through her mind.
"That magazine block-house will be a credit to Captain Payne," she
commented. "Its timbers are so large and square and smooth. One would
think they should last a century."
"So they will. The funny point about the little island, just now, is the
presence of Indians at one end, while the building of the citadel is
going on at the other."
"But the Indians are friendly."
"Yes, and the chief has the reputation of being as great a warrior as
his daughter, Little Moon, has of being a beauty. Some of our men are
wild over her."
"I wish they would leave Little Moon alone!" exclaimed Helen, angrily.
"She is a sweet girl, and I sincerely hope she has sense enough to keep
them in their place."
"I am sure she has," returned Cummings, with a laugh. "It would not be
safe for any of them to trifle with his daughter's affections while
Chief Nenimkee is around. But one of the fellows is in genuine earnest,
and has already asked the Colonel if he could make her his wife."
"Who is that, pray?"
"Oh, that handsome young Irishman, Patrick O'Neil."
"Did Sir George grant his request?"
"Yes, conditionally, on good behavior during the next two months,
coupled with the consent of the chief."
"And what about Little Moon herself? Does she care for him?"
"I think she does, but she is a proud girl, and will need winning--a
part of the bargain Pat is ready for."
"My pail is full now," said Helen. "Will you call the women, Captain? It
is time to return."
"Wait a moment, please," said Cummings.
Helen turned a questioning look toward him. Again she met that peculiar
expression in his eyes which she had seen so often. It was furtive yet
piercing, and gave her a little thrill.
"I just want to talk with you a moment," he said lightly. "I so rarely
get a chance that I feel like thanking my stars when one does come in my
way."
"Well, what is it?" she asked, reverting her gaze to the women, and
regretting to herself that they were nearer to the Fort than she was.
"In the first place," he said with another laugh, "I wouldn't bother the
women about the pail. I can carry it myself until we catch up to them.
And in the next, why do you always take me so seriously? What have I
done to offend you? I am the captain of your husband's company, yet
apart from Sir George, with whom I often see you chatting, you talk with
the Doctor, or the Chaplain, or Captain Payne, or even Lieutenant Smith,
on the freest terms, while you almost avoid myself. Come, Madam," he
exclaimed, with a forced attempt at gaiety, "give an account of
yourself."
Helen felt those piercing black eyes fixed upon her, although she was
not looking in his face, while a soothing, dreamy influence seemed to be
stealing down from her brain over her body and limbs, which required all
her strength of will to resist.
"Well," she replied, with a supreme effort to control herself and keep
her eyes from involuntarily meeting his. "In the first place, I am
picking berries to assist the women, and must insist upon them taking
charge of my pail. In the second place, am perfectly aware that you are
the captain, and that my husband is only the lieutenant, but I have
never had the slightest desire to be discourteous to you. It would be
unreasonable for me to be so."
"Nevertheless, by my faith, you might have been kinder," he returned,
with a deep modulation in tone, that was much akin to his look.
"I am sorry if I have not been." There was a slight tremor in her voice.
"But I am sure the officers should not expect too much from the only
lady among them."
"Do not mistake me, my dear Mrs. Manning," were his next words, in the
same deep undertone. "Give me, I beseech you, an equal chance with the
rest, and I shall be more than satisfied."
Helen could scarcely control herself. His manner and bearing, some inner
potentiality, were producing an agitation upon her that would have been
impossible from the words only.
Cummings saw this and was satisfied, and to add gratitude to the other
effects of the interview, he waved for the women to join them. They had
been expecting the signal for some time and hastened to obey, but were
too far off to have any idea of what was passing between Captain
Cummings and the sweet lady whom they all loved.
"Mrs. Manning wants you to carry her pail of fruit," he explained to
them. "It is very full and she is tired. Good-bye, Madam," he continued,
again lifting his hat. "I want to get another brace before I return if I
can."
In another minute he had disappeared.
Helen's face was calm again, although her heart thumped wildly, and
forcing herself to speak to the women, she talked to them about the
berries.