ped, raised a second slab of bark that rested
above his head, and whispered that they were now directly beneath the
house of the commandant, which was built on stone piers that lifted it
nearly two feet above the ground.

Has-se then lay down in the narrow passage, while Rene crawled over his
body, until he was directly beneath the opening. Then giving Has-se's
hand a warm squeeze with his own, he raised himself to the surface,
leaving the Indian lad to make his way back to those who awaited him
outside.

Upon gaining the fresh air once more, Rene found himself, even as
Has-se had said he would, beneath a house, and in fact struck his head
smartly against one of its timbers before he realized how shallow was
the space between it and the ground. Unmindful of the pain of the blow
in his excitement, he replaced the slab of bark over the mouth of the
tunnel, and crawled on his hands and knees from beneath the building,
which, as soon as he passed beyond it, he recognized as that occupied
by his uncle Laudonniere.

A profound silence reigned throughout the great enclosure, nor was any
light to be seen save a faint gleam that found its way through a
crevice in one of the lower window-shutters of the building in front of
which Rene stood. He was surprised not to meet the sentry who used
formerly to pace always before the dwelling of the commandant; for he
knew nothing of the mutiny, nor that all save the sentinels at the
gates had been withdrawn. After listening for a moment, and hearing
nothing, he made his way to the window from which came the ray of
light, and tapped gently upon its shutter. He was compelled to repeat
the noise several times before it attracted attention from within. At
last he heard the well-known voice of his old tutor, Le Moyne, the
artist, who called out,

"What ho, without! Who goes there?"

Making no answer, Rene tapped again. This caused the light to be
extinguished and one leaf of the shutter to be cautiously opened, while
Le Moyne asked, in a nervous voice,

"Who is here, and what is thy business with me at this hour?"

"Sh!" replied Rene, in a whisper. "It is I, Rene de Veaux. Ask me
nothing, but admit me, that I may instantly communicate with my uncle
the commandant. I have tidings of the utmost importance for him alone."

Le Moyne had at once recognized the voice of his beloved and long-lost
pupil, and with hands trembling with eager excitement, he hastened to
throw wide ope