isoners!" he exclaimed--"English
midshipmen all of them. You know our boats are scouting all round
the Isle-aux-Coudres, where Durell and his contingent of ships from
Louisbourg are lying waiting for the English fleet."

"Yes, yes," cried Corinne eagerly; "we know that! But where are the
prisoners?"

"They are below, in the house. They brought them to the Abbe, our
uncle. They profess not to speak French, these lads, but I think
they understand it fast enough.

"Come down and hear their story, my aunt; and you also, Corinne.
They have been left in our care by the order of Monsieur de
Montcalm, that we may win from them all that they know, respecting
the strength of the English fleet. Let us go and hear what they
say."

"How came they to be taken?" asked Madame Drucour, as she rose to
accompany Colin.

"They were taken on shore. They had left their ship, perhaps
without leave, and were amusing themselves upon the island. The men
in our boat watched them, and presently landed cautiously and
surrounded them. They made a gallant struggle, but were captured at
length. And now they have been brought to us that we may get from
them all the information we can. Our uncle is talking to them even
now. I want to hear, and I want Corinne also to hear what they
say."

"And the poor lads will doubtless be hungry," said Madame Drucour,
always thoughtful for the comfort of others; "we will set food
before them as they talk. They shall see that we are not harsh
captors."

It was three bright-faced, bronzed English lads that they found in
the lower room with the good Abbe. He had induced the rest of the
people to disperse, and was now alone with the captives. The lads
seemed quite disposed to be talkative, and when the lady entered
bearing food, their eyes brightened; they stood up and made their
bows to all, and fell upon the victuals with a hearty goodwill.

"Strong! I should think it was strong," cried the eldest of the
three, in response to a question from the Abbe respecting the
English squadron on the way: "why, there are more than thirty ships
of the line, and with frigates, sloops-of-war, and transports they
must number over fifty. Then we have ten fine ships under Admiral
Durell, waiting to join the main fleet when it comes; and there is
another squadron under Admiral Holmes, which has gone to New York
to take up the troops mustered in New England for the reduction of
Quebec. Oh, it will be a grand sight, a grand sig