[Illustration: "Strangers and yet not strangers"
The few remaining hours of that 31st of March were well occupied by the men of the 100th. Larger and better camps were pitched to last for many nights, instead of one, until real barracks could be built. The Indian wigwams, of which several were standing along the shore, proved to be useless, but a couple of trapper-forsaken shanties for the time did duty as officers' quarters. Fortunately, in each was a rough fireplace, and big fires soon dried the dampness and made them passably habitable. So with the women on the _Bumble Bee_, and officers and men in their camps, the first night passed away.
On the following morning the men strengthened their stakes, while Sir George and Captain Payne had an earnest consultation over plans for the future.
"Of course," said Sir George, "a fort and barracks will have to be built at once, whatever we do afterwards; the question is, which shall be first and where shall we put them?"
"Both important questions," returned the Captain. "There is another serious one, too. In three or four weeks, perhaps half that time, winter will break up. The spring thaw and cold rains will come, and better shelter for our people will then be imperative."
"True," said the Colonel. "You already have your plans."
For some moments there was a pause while they scanned the outlook.
"Yes," said the engineer at last, "beside the men's camp, near the margin of the hill, will be a good place for the garrison. It commands the whole length of the bay to its mouth and Beausoliel Island beyond. You couldn't have a better place for a fort. In it you might have officers' rooms as well, and later on build your shipyard at the foot of the hill down by the bay."
"You notice that little narrow island to the south of Latimer's boat?"
"Yes; it commands the mouth of the harbor direct, and would be a fine place to build a magazine with a battery of guns."
"A good idea, Captain. When summer comes perhaps we can manage it with our light cannon. It is lucky they were no bigger. If they had been it would have been impossible to portage them so far through the woods."
"To put up the buildings every man will have to work," said Payne.
"There need be no reserve on that score," returned George. "How are you off for tools?"