which, he read the despatch.

XIII.

A SUCCESSFUL MISSION.

At ten o'clock, on the morning of the 8th November, the day after his
arrival, Roderick Hardinge presented himself at the residence of the
Commandant of Three Rivers. It was the hour agreed upon between them for
a conference, which circumstance did not prevent the Commandant from
manifesting some surprise on seeing the young officer.

"You surely are not ready to start for Quebec already?" he asked.

"If possible, sir, I should very much like to do so. My horse is not as
fresh as he was yesterday, and he will delay me longer, and besides I
think my presence will be required in Quebec before midnight."

"Very well. Time is pressing, I know. I have jotted down a few lines
giving Lieutenant-Governor Cramahe all the information in my possession.
Here is the letter. But you have doubtless wandered about the town a
little this morning, and thus learned many details which have escaped
me."

"I have heard much more than I am willing to believe," said Hardinge,
with a laugh.

"Tell me briefly what you have heard, and I will correct or confirm it."

"I have heard that Montreal has fallen."

"Not yet. Montgomery is still on the plateau between St. Johns, which he
captured about a week ago, and Montreal, which is his next point of
attack. But there are two obstacles which retard him. The first of these
is the skirmishing of the British troops on his flank, and the second,
the discontent among his own soldiers. Many men from Vermont and New
York have returned home. Montreal is, however, really defenceless, and
cannot hold out more than a few days, especially as Montgomery is
anxious to get there in order to house and clothe his naked, suffering
men. What else have you heard?"

"That the French of Montreal are secretly working for the enemy."

"It is false. Those who told you so are treacherous friends, and we have
several here in Three Rivers. Next?"

"That the Indians under LaCorne have dug up the hatchet which they
buried in the Recollets church, one month ago, and declared against us."

"That would be terrible news if true, but it is not true. My last
courier from the west, who arrived not an hour ago, has particular
information from the Indians about Montreal. They still maintain the
neutrality pledged in the Recollets church. I admit, however, that it
would not take much to turn them into foes, and I know that Montgomery
has already his emissa