ed that he might be let off, after all; partly because it
was not a time of formal war, and partly because the schooner had
saved some important lives, and therefore, at the very least, ought
to be let off. But this change in her masters dispelled Zac's hope,
and made him see that there was not at all any prospect of an
immediate release. From that moment Zac gave up all hope of any
release whatever, and began to see that, if escape were to be made,
it must be effected by his own skill and daring.

The new comers seemed willing to maintain the old state of things,
and showed no inclination to keep their prisoners in bonds. They were
a good-natured lot, with simple, unsophisticated faces, and looked
with amiable smiles upon the schooner and its company. Still, they
were all stout, able-bodied fellows, and all were armed. The leader
was a man of about forty, who seemed to be regarded by the rest with
considerable respect. He was also able to speak a few words of
English. They contented themselves with keeping a general lookout
over the schooner and its crew, and taking turns at the night watch.

In fact, the simple confidence of the Acadians in the security of
their guard seemed to be justified by circumstances. These six stout
men wore armed; Zac and his followers were unarmed. All the floating
craft in the Basin belonged to the Acadians, and all the settlements.
For Zac to escape by water was scarcely possible, and to get off by
land was not to be thought of. The nearest English settlement was
many miles away, and to reach it he would have to run the gantlet of
a population of French and Indians.

Day after day passed, and Zac spent most of the time in meditating
over his situation and keeping his eyes and ears on the alert. He
understood pretty well that to the villany of Cazeneau were due both
his own captivity and the more serious danger which threatened his
friend. It was from Margot that he had first heard of Cazeneau as an
enemy, and little more had he been able to find out beyond what she
had told him in the brief conversation already related. The illness
of Laborde had necessitated her attendance on her master and
mistress, and prevented any further confidences. Only a few
occasional greetings were possible after that. Then followed the
arrival of the Aigle, and the transfer of Margot, with the rest, to
the French frigate. Zac had consequently been left in the dark as to
the particular villany of Cazeneau tow