eturn this man to Quebec. Ah, monsieur, when you left
me upon the island that morning you little thought that I would return
to Quebec for this, and then hunt you down so many hundreds of miles of
river. But I have you now, and I shall never leave you until I see you
on board the ship which will carry you and your wife back to France."

For all the bitter vindictiveness which gleamed in the monk's eyes, De
Catinat could not but admire the energy and tenacity of the man.

"It seems to me, father, that you would have shone more as a soldier
than as a follower of Christ," said he; "but, since you have followed us
here, and since there is no getting away, we may settle this question at
some later time."

But the two Americans were less inclined to take so peaceful a view.
Ephraim Savage's beard bristled with anger, and he whispered something
into Amos Green's ear.

"The captain and I could easily get rid of him," said the young
woodsman, drawing De Catinat aside. "If he _will_ cross our path he
must pay for it."

"No, no, not for the world, Amos! Let him alone. He does what he
thinks to be his duty, though his faith is stronger than his charity, I
think. But here comes the rain, and surely it is dark enough now for
the boats."

A great brown cloud had overspread the heavens, and the night had fallen
so rapidly that they could hardly see the gleam of the river in front of
them. The savages in the woods and behind the captured stockade were
quiet, save for an occasional shot, but the yells and whoops from the
cottages of the _censitaires_ showed that they were being plundered by
their captors. Suddenly a dull red glow began to show above one of the
roofs.

"They have set it on fire," cried Du Lhut. "The canoes must go at once,
for the river will soon be as light as day. In! In! There is not an
instant to lose!"

There was no time for leave-taking. One impassioned kiss and Adele was
torn away and thrust into the smallest canoe, which she shared with
Onega, two children, and an unmarried girl. The others rushed into
their places, and in a few moments they had pushed off, and had vanished
into the drift and the darkness. The great cloud had broken and the
rain pattered heavily upon the roof, and splashed upon their faces as
they strained their eyes after the vanishing boats.

"Thank God for this storm!" murmured Du Lhut. "It will prevent the
cottages from blazing up too quickly."

But he had forgotte