you. What has Vincent
discovered below there--far-off? Have you your glass, father?"

"The deputation, perhaps," said Toussaint.

"Yes: there they are! They have crossed the Trois Rivieres, and they
are creeping up towards Plaisance. What a mere handful the party looks
at this distance! What mere insects to be about to pull the thunder
down upon so many heads! What an atom of space they cover! Yet
Vincent's heart is on that little spot, I believe. Is it not so,
father?"

"Yes! unless some of it is, as I fear, with the fleet beyond the ridge."

"He will be missing, some day soon, then."

"For his own sake and Aimee's, I trust not. This step of hers has
disconcerted me: but no harm can be done by detaining Vincent in honour
near me, till the turn of events may decide his inclinations in favour
of Aimee's father, and of his own race. Detained he must be, for the
present, in dishonour, if not in honour: for he knows too much of my
affairs to be allowed to see Leclerc. If Aimee returns to us, or if we
gain a battle, Vincent will be ours without compulsion. Meantime, I
keep him always employed beside me."

"This is the place for our post, surely," said Placide. "See how the
rocks are rising on either hand above this level! No one could pass
here whom we choose to obstruct."

"Yes: this is the spot; these are the Plateaux," replied his father,
awaiting the officers and soldiers--the latter being prepared with
tools, to mark out and begin their work.

While the consultations and measurements were going on, Placide's eye
was caught by the motion of a young fawn in the high grass of a lawny
slope, on one side of the valley. He snatched the loaded rifle which
one of the soldiers had exchanged for a spade and fired. The passion
for sport was instantly roused by the act. Kids were seen here and
there on the rocks. Marks were not wanting: and first Vincent, and then
one and another, followed Placide's example; and there were several
shots at the same instant, whose echoes reverberated to the delighted
ear of Placide, who was sorry when the last had died away among the
mountain-tops.

"Your first and last sport for to-day," observed Toussaint. "You have
given the game a sufficient alarm for the present."

"We must find our game, as we have shot it," exclaimed Vincent. "My kid
is not far-off."

"After it, then! You will find me under the large cotton-tree yonder.
The heat is too great here, Placide, b