-

"Fear nothing, madame; I came up by the drift, which runs right down
into the ditch. Turn then to the right, and you will come upon another
drift, which will take you out upon the slope. At the foot of it you
will find an Indian, who will conduct you to my tribe, and they will
conceal you till they can make their way to Boulanger's cottage, near
Quebec. Hasten, I beseech you. There is no time to be lost. If the
sentries challenge you, heed them not, but speed on for your life."

"And you!" cried Marguerite; "you cannot follow in your moccasins only,
and in that dress you must be seen, and may be fired upon."

"Fear not for me, madame," was the prompt reply. "I am still an Indian
girl, and can laugh at any attempt to keep me in such a place as this
longer than I choose to stay. Quick, if you would hope over again to
see the one you love most dearly."

Scarce daring to breathe, in spite of all her courage, Amoahmeh watched
the receding form as, with the parting words, "May Heaven reward you!"
Marguerite passed into the raging snow-storm, and was soon lost even to
the keen eyes of her deliverer. Still, however, Amoahmeh remained
there bending forward, as if to catch some distant sound. At last it
came. High even above the roaring and howling of the storm was heard
what less practised ears might have taken for the shrill scream of an
eagle winging its flight in safety to its nest. Then as she recognised
the signal, Amoahmeh closed the casement, drew the black veil around
her, and calmly lay down to rest, nor did she wake until she was
aroused by the beating of the drums that announced the arrival of the
new commandant.

[Illustration: Tailpiece to Chapter IV]

[Illustration: Headpiece to Chapter V]

CHAPTER V.

Six weary and trying months indeed to most of the personages who figure
in this narrative were those which came to an end with the close of
May, 1759. Even the Baron de Valricour, who always made the best of
everything, had grown heartily tired of the forced inaction incidental
to the long Canadian winter, when he received a despatch from
head-quarters relieving him of his command at Sorel and instructing him
to take up a responsible post at Quebec. The despatch was accompanied
by a private communication from Montcalm himself, one part of which ran
as follows:--

"For these measures, my good old friend and comrade, as well as for any
others which may suggest themselves to you,