ood his white-washed cottage, where his wife
kept her lonely guard during his long absences, and spent sleepless
watches on wild nights in autumn, entreating the protection of St.
Joseph and Our Lady of Good Help for her man, fighting for life
somewhere on the dangerous waters.

"She must be very strong with her prayers, ma bonne femme, for
every time I have come safe home--eh, madame?"

It was a pleasure to me to confirm him in his belief.

The next morning we passed the wide mouth of the Gouffre at la Baie
St. Paul, but fortunately without experiencing its formidable wind,
and early in the afternoon we saw rising before us the purple mass
of Cap Tourmente. We stood well out here to escape the strong
current; in the distance before us lay the green point of the island
of Orleans, and behind it, to the north, Gabriel pointed out the
beautifully rising slopes of the Cote de Beaupre, with the pride
of a man who is in love with his country.

But soon his attention became fixed on a boat of better appearance
than any we had as yet seen, standing in for the main shore.

"No fishing-boat that!" he exclaimed. "It must be some of the
officers down from Quebec." He altered our course so that we stood
in to intercept her. His excitement grew as we approached. "I am
right," he shouted. "She is the yacht from Quebec. I must go on
board. They will wish to hear what news I carry from below."

As soon as we were within a reasonable distance he made some signal
with his sail and, both boats staying their way, he launched his
shallop over the side, and quickly rowed to the stranger. We watched
him with keen interest, especially as we saw there were officers
on board. Before long he was on his way back to us, and, as soon
as he was within speaking distance, he called in the greatest
excitement:

"Oh, madame! On board there is his Excellency, M. de Montcalm. He
wishes to see you. Pardon, madame, pardon if I say hurry. Do not
keep him waiting."

It was indeed a startling summons, and the last I was expecting,
but I accepted it without hesitation, and, making such slight
preparation as was possible, Gabriel helped me carefully into the
tossing boat; and put such heart into his rowing that in a few
moments we were safely alongside the yacht, and a strong hand was
held down to me. "Courage, madame! hold firmly and step slowly,"
and, as the shallop lifted, I stepped lightly on the deck, where
I was surrounded by a group of gentlemen