y's intervention.--There is another matter of this kind to be
arranged this noon," he continued: "an exchange of prisoners, among
whom are some ladies of birth and breeding, captured but two days ago. A
gentleman comes from General Montcalm directly upon the point. You might
be useful herein," he added, "if you will come to my tent in an hour."
He turned to go.

"And my ship, and permission to enter the town, your Excellency?" I
asked.

"What do you call your--ship?" he asked a little grimly.

I told him how the sailors had already christened her. He smiled. "Then
let her prove her title to Terror of France," he said, "by being pilot
to the rest of our fleet, up the river, and you, Captain Moray, be guide
to a footing on those heights"--he pointed to the town. "Then this army
and its General, and all England, please God, will thank you. Your craft
shall have commission as a rover--but if she gets into trouble?"

"She will do as her owner has done these six years, your Excellency: she
will fight her way out alone."

He gazed long at the town and at the Levis shore. "From above, then,
there is a way?"

"For proof, if I come back alive--"

"For proof that you have been--" he answered meaningly, with an amused
flash of his eyes, though at the very moment a spasm of pain crossed his
face, for he was suffering from incurable disease, and went about his
great task in daily misery, yet cheerful and inspiring.

"For proof, my wife, sir," said I.

He nodded, but his thoughts were diverted instantly, and he went from
me at once abstracted. But again he came back. "If you return," said he,
"you shall serve upon my staff. You will care to view our operations,"
he added, motioning towards the intrenchments at the river. Then he
stepped quickly away, and I was taken by an officer to the river, and
though my heart warmed within me to hear that an attack was presently to
be made from the shore not far distant from the falls, I felt that the
attempt could not succeed: the French were too well intrenched.

At the close of an hour I returned to the General's tent. It was
luncheon-time, and they were about to sit as I was announced. The
General motioned me to a seat, and then again, as if on second thought,
made as though to introduce me to some one who stood beside him. My
amazement was unbounded when I saw, smiling cynically at me, Monsieur
Doltaire.

He was the envoy from Quebec. I looked him in the eyes steadily for a
mome