young guest, and when it
was over the honest Canadian produced the promised rifle and
accoutrements, and his wife and Amoahmeh did their best to add to them
such trifles as might be useful in a campaign. Then, after many a
hearty grasp of the hand and many a warm expression of his hope that
they might meet again in happier times, Isidore bade his kind friends
adieu, and set out on his return to Quebec.

[Illustration: Tailpiece to Chapter I]

[Illustration: Headpiece to Chapter II]

CHAPTER II.

Two months passed away, and beneath the bright August sun the still
waters of the St. Lawrence were reflecting the clear and well-defined
image of its lofty and thickly wooded banks, when Isidore again stood
on that well-remembered knoll, conversing eagerly with his humble
Canadian friend. The contrast between the two men was even more
striking than on the last occasion of their meeting there. Boulanger
seemed if possible more hale and hearty than ever, and there was in his
whole manner and deportment a vivacity and joyousness even greater than
that which commonly characterised him. Still he seemed to check
himself as much as it was in his nature to do, and paused more than
once in his warmly expressed greetings as he surveyed the pitiable
condition of his visitor, which was indeed more deplorable and wretched
than when the hospitable woodsman and his wife had done their best to
fit him out for his expedition to Louisburg.

"Alas!" said the Canadian, "we have already heard that it was all of no
use and that the place has fallen, but as yet few particulars have
reached us here, as you may suppose. Indeed I too have been away from
here almost all the time, and have only just come back. But we must do
what we can to recruit you a little, and then perhaps monsieur will
tell us all about it." So once more Isidore found himself seated
within the walls of the forester's dwelling, and as the meal went on
did his best to satisfy his host's inquiries as to what had befallen
him since their last meeting.

"I came too late to witness the beginning of the siege," said he, "for
the fleet arrived there on the 2nd of June. They thought to take the
place by surprise, but our brave General Drucour was not the man to let
them do that, and he had already taken every precaution that skill and
daring could devise to strengthen the defences in every direction."

"It was a pretty strong place even without that," said Boul