the border raids--as such under close
surveillance. One, a youthful and handsome officer of Virginia riflemen,
aged 27 years, a friend of Governor Dinwiddie, had been allowed the
range of the fortress, on parole. His good looks, education, smartness
(we use the word advisedly) and misfortunes seem to have created much
sympathy for the captive, but canny Scot. He has a warm welcome in many
houses--the French ladies even plead his cause; le beau capitaine is
asked out; no entertainment at last is considered complete, without
Captain--later on Major Robert Stobo. The other two are: Lieutenant
Stevenson of Rogers' Rangers, another Virginia corps, and a Leith
carpenter of the name of Clarke. Stobo, after more attempts than one,
eluded the French sentries, and still more dangerous foes to the peace
of mind of a handsome bachelor--the ladies of Quebec. He will re-appear
on the scene, the advisor of General Wolfe, as to the best landing place
round Quebec. Doubtless you wish to hear more about the adventurous
Scot.

A plan of escape between him, Stevenson and Clarke, was carried out on
1st May, 1759. Major Stobo met the fugitives under a wind-mill, probably
the old wind-mill on the grounds of the General Hospital Convent.
Having stolen a birch canoe, the party paddled it all night, and, after
incredible fatigue and danger, they passed Isle-aux-Coudres, Kamouraska,
and landed below this spot, shooting two Indians in self-defence, whom
Clarke buried after having scalped them, saying to the Major: "Good sir,
by your permission, these same two scalps, when I come to New York, will
sell for twenty-four good pounds: with this I'll be right merry, and my
wife right beau." They then murdered the Indians' faithful dog, because
he howled, and buried him with his masters. It was shortly after this
that they met the laird of the Kamouraska Isles, le Chevalier de la
Durantaye, who said that the best Canadian blood ran in his veins, and
that he was of kin with the mighty Duc de Mirapoix. Had the mighty Duke,
however, at that moment seen his Canadian cousin steering the four-oared
boat, loaded with wheat, he might have felt but a very qualified
admiration for the majesty of his stately demeanor and his nautical
savoir faire. Stobo took possession of the Chevalier's pinnace, and made
the haughty laird, nolens volens, row him with the rest of the crew,
telling him to row away, and that, had the Great Louis himself been in
the boat at that momen