into the heart of the colony, despite its outward aspect of
prosperity. France was burdened by foreign wars and could do little
for her dependencies beyond the sea; whilst England was beginning
to awake from her apathy, and she had at her helm now a man who
understood as no statesman there had done before him the value to
her of these lands beyond the sea.

"I have always maintained," the Abbe would say, "that in spite of
all her blunders, which blunders and tardinesses are still
continuing, there is a spirit in your English colonies which will
one day rise triumphant, and make you a foe to be feared and
dreaded. You move with the times; we stand still. You teach and
learn independence and self government; we depend wholly upon a
King who cares little for us and a country that is engrossed in
other matters, and has little thought to spend upon our perils and
our troubles. You are growing, and, like a young horse or bullock,
you do not know yet how to use your strength. You are unbroken to
yoke and halter; you waste your energy in plunging and butting when
you should be utilizing it to some good end. Yet mark my words, the
day is coming when you will learn to answer to the rein; when you
will use your strength reasonably and for a great end and then
shall we have cause to tremble before you!"

Fritz listened and partly understood, and could admire the man who
spoke so boldly even when he depreciated the power of his own
people. He grew to love and revere the Abbe not a little, and when
the day came for them to say farewell, it was with real sorrow he
spoke his adieu.

"You have been very good to us, my father," he said. "I hope the
day may come when we may be able to show our gratitude."

"Like enough it will, my son," answered the Abbe gently; "I have
little doubt that it will. If not to me, yet to my children and
countrymen. For the moment the laurels of victory remain in our
hands; but the tide may some day turn. If so, then remember to be
merciful and gentle to those who will be in your power. I think
that the English have ever shown themselves generous foes; I think
they will continue to show themselves such in the hour of victory."

It was with hearts much cheered and strengthened that the comrades
went forth from Ticonderoga. Colin and a few French soldiers
accompanied them for some distance.

They did not propose to try to seek Rogers or his scattered
Rangers; there was no knowing where they would now be