ce from the shadowy
corner by the door, where the twilight was gathering.

The company started to their feet and saluted the great man, who
advanced smiling, motioning them to be seated. Corinne kindled the
lamp, and the General looked about him and sat down at the table
opposite to the three youths.

"I hear you are from the English squadron," he said; "I have come
to ask you as to its strength. Tell me frankly and candidly what
you know, and I will undertake that your captivity shall not be a
rigorous one."

He spoke in French, and the Abbe interpreted, although he suspected
that the lads understood a good deal more of that language than
they professed to do. They were willing enough to repeat what they
had said before as to the overwhelming size and equipment of the
fleet on its way from England--of the valour of men and officers,
of Wolfe's known intrepidity and military genius, and of the
excellent, far-carrying guns and their equally excellent gunners.

Montcalm listened with bent brow and thoughtful mien. The lads
appeared to speak with confidence and sincerity. They evidently
believed that the fall of Quebec was foreordained of Heaven; but it
was possible they might be misinformed as to the true strength of
the fleet, and had perhaps, consciously or unconsciously,
exaggerated that.

At any rate they were not reticent: they told everything they knew
and perhaps more. They gloried in the thought of the fighting to
come, and seemed to take their own captivity very lightly,
evidently thinking it only a matter of a few weeks before they
could be exchanged or released--before their countrymen would be
marching into Quebec.

"And as soon as General Amherst has got Ticonderoga, he will march
here to help us, if we are not masters here first!" was the final
shot of the senior midshipman. "Not that Wolfe will need his help
in the taking of Quebec, but he will want a share in the glory of
it. And all New England, and all those provinces which have been
asleep so long, are waking up, eager to take their share now that
the moment of final triumph is near. There are so many fine troops
waiting to embark that Admiral Holmes will probably have to leave
the half behind. But they will follow somehow, you will see. They
are thirsting to avenge themselves upon the Indians, and upon those
who set the Indians on to harry and destroy their brothers along
the borders!"

The Abbe translated this also into French, making a lit