prevailed there, even though terrible things Were passing
daily close by.

"It was he who at last bid us go to you. He said you were his
friend, and would make us welcome for his sake and ours. And when
he gave us this letter, he told us the words of Mr. Pitt respecting
you."

"And have you other news besides?" asked Wolfe eagerly. "When left
you London? And is it yet known there whether this rumour of fresh
disaster is true? See, there is the Western news sheet; it speaks
of a disquieting rumour as to the fall of Fort William Henry, our
outpost on Lake George. Have fresh tidings been received? for if
that place fall, we are in evil case indeed."

Julian gravely shook his head.

"The rumour is all too true. Had you not heard? A fast-sailing
vessel has brought it to Southampton--the evil tidings of disaster
and death. The fort held out bravely through a terrible cannonade;
but no relief was sent, and the walls were battered down. There was
nothing for it but surrender. The garrison obtained honourable
terms; but the French either could not or would not restrain their
Indian allies. Surrender was followed by a brutal massacre of the
hapless soldiers and their wives and children. It is horrible to
read the story of the atrocities committed. We have seen Indians at
their hideous work. We know, as you in this land never can do, what
it is like."

Wolfe's eyes flashed fire.

"A surrendered garrison massacred! and the French stood by and
suffered it!"

"The account is confused. Some say they did try without avail; some
that they were callous and indifferent; some that they did much to
avert the horrors, and saved large numbers of victims out of their
clutches. But they did not succeed in stopping an awful loss of
life. The pages of history will be stained dark when the story of
that day is written!"

"Ay, truly!" cried Humphrey, in his deep, resonant voice, speaking
for the first time; "the page of history should be written in
characters of blood and fire. I have seen the work of those savage
fiends. I have seen, and I shall remember to the last day of my
life!"

"Tell me," said Wolfe, looking straight at the stalwart youth,
whose lips had slightly drawn themselves back, showing the firm
line of the white teeth beneath.

Humphrey had told his tale many times during the past months. He
told it to Wolfe that day--told it with a curious graphic power,
considering that his words were few, and that his manner was