ny steps
could be taken on behalf of their relatives, should they have fallen
into the hands of the English, the baron and Isidore found that an
Indian scout or spy had just come in with the intelligence that some
Algonquins with three French prisoners had been seen that day encamped
on the Montmorency River. In less than an hour Isidore and his uncle
had set out for the spot, accompanied by a small body of picked men,
and, guided by the scouts, they took the Indians completely by
surprise, killing or dispersing them with a single volley. With
instinctive ferocity, however, one of the savages had struck Madame de
Valricour dead, whilst another singled out the marquis, as he supposed,
and grievously wounded poor Perigord.

Two rude litters were soon made by some of the Canadians, on one of
which they laid the body of Madame de Valricour, on the other they
placed old Perigord, and the party then set out for the lines at
Montmorency. They had not gone far before the attention of Amoahmeh
and the Canadian was attracted by a sound like the scream of an eagle,
which was immediately echoed from afar: "Yes, our friend yonder is
calling to his eaglets," said Boulanger, "and they hear him; but we can
laugh at them and him too now."

On the way the marquis kept by the side of his old servant, more than
once expressing his grief at what had befallen him.

"Nay, monseigneur," replied Perigord, smiling in spite of the pain he
was evidently enduring, "do not mind about me. It was fortunate that
those stupid savages mistook me for my betters. Besides, have I not
seen my dear young master once again?"

Dear old Achille! These were the last words he spoke. When they
reached the lines at Montmorency he was dead. The scheming and haughty
baroness and the humble and faithful servitor had met the same fate.
Death does indeed bring us all down to one level, but only in the
grave--not beyond it.

[Illustration: Tailpiece to Chapter VIII]

[Illustration: Headpiece to Chapter IX]

CHAPTER IX.

The Marquis de Beaujardin and his son had met again, but under
circumstances distressing enough to both of them, and it was with
sorrowful hearts that they now proceeded together to Quebec. As they
passed through the village of Beauport on their way, they became aware
that a large portion of the English fleet had approached the shore, and
was to all appearance making preparations for a repetition of the
attack made on the