noon
The following morning the sky was clear and the day brilliant . The sun shone upon the dark , scarlet-tinged foliage of the oaks , and through the transparent yellow leaves of the maple . A slight frost had appeared for two or three mornings about a month back , and now they were enjoying what was termed the Indian summer , which is a return of fair and rather warm weather for a short time previous to the winter setting in . The soldiers were busy carrying the hay down to the _ bateaux _ , and , before noon , Alfred bade farewell to Colonel Forster and the other officers of the fort , and , accompanied by Captain Sinclair , went down to embark . All was ready , and Alfred stepped into the boat ; Captain Sinclair being on duty and not able to accompany him back . `` I shall not fail to give directions to the sentries about the rockets , Alfred , '' said Captain Sinclair , `` and so tell your mother and cousins ; and mind to show them how to fire them off from out of the barrel of a musket . Good-by ; God bless you , my dear fellow . ''