and scenes of horror at thought of which my blood
curdles. They have fallen upon us, not upon them."

"For the moment, yes," said Fritz, still in the same stern tone;
"but, Pringle, there is a God above us who looks down upon these
things, and who will not suffer such deeds to pass unavenged. We
are His children; we bear His name. We look to Him in the dark
moments of despair and overthrow. I am sure that He will hear and
answer. He will not suffer these crimes against humanity and
civilization to go unpunished. He will provide the instrument for
the overthrow of the power which can deal thus treacherously, even
though the treachery may be that of their allies, and not their
own. It is they who employ such unworthy tools. They must bear the
responsibility when these things happen."

There was a long silence between the two men then, after which
Pringle said:

"If they had only sent us reinforcements! I know that we shall hear
later on that the reserves were on their way. Why do we do
everything a month or more too late? It has been the ruin of our
western frontier from first to last. We are never ready!"

"No; that has been the mistake so far, but I think it will not
always be so. There is an able man in England now whose hands are
on the helm; and though full power is not his as yet, he can and
will do much, they say. Even the more astute of the French begin to
dread the name of Pitt. I think that the tide will turn presently,
and we shall see our victorious foes flying before us like chaff
before the wind."

"You think that?"

"I do. I have seen and heard much of the methods of France in the
south--her ambition, her presumption, her weakness. Here in the
north she has a firmer grip, and Canada is her stronghold. But if
once we can shake her power there, all will be gone. They say that
Pitt knows this, and that his eyes are upon the Western world.
France has her hands full at home. A great war is raging in Europe.
A few well-planted blows, ably directed from beyond the sea by
England herself, might do untold harm to her western provinces. I
hope to live to see the day when those blows will be given."

Young Roche began to stir in his sleep, and presently sat up,
bewildered and perplexed; but soon recollection swept over him, and
he stumbled to his feet, and joined the other two by the fire.

"Tell us all," he said, as they began to think of supper; for he
and Fritz had scarcely broken their fast all day, and