less
important a personage than Governor Winthrop himself, who, chancing to
take his afternoon constitutional in that direction, had observed the
disturbance, and hurried up to ascertain its meaning. He carried a
stout cane, and followed up his command by laying it upon the backs of
the boys nearest him with such good effect that they dashed off
howling, and in a moment Raoul was left free to pick himself up and
arrange his disordered dress.

"Pray, sir, what were they doing to you?" inquired Governor Winthrop
with grave concern.

"They were trying to throw me into the river," responded Raoul, "and
but for you, sir, they would have done it." And then he went on to
explain what had taken place, while the Governor listened with an
approving smile; and when he had finished, he placed his hand upon
Raoul's shoulder, saying:

"You have borne yourself nobly, my son, and I feel ashamed that the
children of our own townspeople should behave in so unseemly a fashion.
And now tell me who are you and whence you come, for you are assuredly
a stranger here."

When he learned that Raoul was the nephew of Charles La Tour,
Lieutenant-General of Acadia, his interest manifestly deepened.

"Indeed, indeed," he said. "I know your worthy uncle well, and hold
him in high esteem. You must come and sup with me, and I shall see
that you return to your ship in due time."

Raoul was only too glad to accept such an attractive invitation, and so
the close of this eventful day found him the guest of the Governor, and
keenly relishing the excellent fare that his table afforded.

CHAPTER XI

TRAITORS IN THE CAMP

Madame La Tour greatly enjoyed Raoul's relation of his Boston
experience.

"You see, virtue is not always merely its own reward," she said,
smiling proudly upon her nephew. "It is sometimes well rewarded in
other ways. Be ever ready to champion the weak and the innocent,
Raoul. They are God's children, and you are doing His work when you
take their part against the wicked and cruel people, of which, alas!
there seems to be too many in this world."

The summer passed into autumn, and the autumn into winter, without
bringing anything of special moment into the lives of those at Fort La
Tour, save somewhat disquieting rumours of the intentions of Charnace.

It was said that he had gone to France to obtain the revocation of La
Tour's commission as Lieutenant-General of Acadia, and authority to
take him prisoner, and