ing
there at midnight, in the moonlit chapel, with the forms of the
spectators so faintly discerned, and the ghostly outline of priest,
altar, and window before them as they knelt. But they were married;
and Claude once more, in a rapture of feeling, pressed his wife to
his heart.

They now left the chapel by another door in the rear. The priest led
the way, together with the sentinel. Here was the wall. A flight of
steps led to the top. On reaching this they came to a place where
there was a ladder. Down this they all descended in silence, and
found themselves in the ditch. The ladder was once more made use of
to climb out of this, and then Claude saw a figure crouched on the
ground and creeping towards them. It was an Indian, with whom the
priest conversed in his own language for a moment.

"All is well," he whispered to Claude. "The captain is waiting for us
many miles from this. And now, forward!"

The Indian led the way; then went the priest; then Claude with Mimi;
then Margot; last of all came the sentinel, who had deserted his
post, and was now seeking safety in flight under the protection of
Pere Michel. Such was the little party of fugitives that now sought
to escape from Louisbourg into the wild forest around. After walking
for about a mile, they reached a place where five horses were bound.
Here they proceeded to mount.

"I sent these out after sundown," said the priest to Claude. "There
are not many horses in Louisbourg. These will assist us to escape,
and will be lost to those who pursue. Here, my son, arm yourself, so
as to defend your wife, in case of need."

With these words the priest handed Claude a sword, pointing also to
pistols which were in the holster. The Indian alone remained on foot.
He held the bridle of the priest's horse, and led the way, sometimes
on what is called an "Indian trot," at other times on a walk. The
others all followed at the same pace.

The road was the same one which had been traversed by Claude and Mimi
when they first came to Louisbourg--a wide trail, rough, yet
serviceable, over which many pack-horses and droves of cattle had
passed, but one which was not fitted for wheels, and was rather a
trail than a road. On each side the trees arose, which threw a deep
shade, so that, in spite of the moon which shone overhead, it was too
dark to go at any very rapid pace.

"We must make all the haste we can," said the priest. "In three hours
they will probably discover all.