erent sides."

"That is a serious matter for the principals, no doubt, Kit; but
we need not worry over it, for I am not likely to be exchanged,
the way things now are."

"But when it is decided?"

"Your way, Kit?"

"I mean _if_ it is decided our way," he corrected. "You will come
back?"

"Come back to what? You forget I am still a proscribed rebel with
a price on my head."

"But that is long past."

"So Dr. Archie Cameron thought, but they hanged him like a dog not
so many years ago, and I do not know that he was deeper in the
affair than I. That I am not a very ardent rebel, I will confess;
but I have grown too old in rebellion to shift my character readily.
Besides, I fancy I am more of a Frenchman than an Englishman, or
even a Scotchman; and the worst of such a transmogrification is,
that one grows used to it, and change becomes wellnigh impossible.
But you have chosen wisely, my boy. I wouldn't have you different
for the world!"

"It is not for myself I speak. I am thinking of you, sir."

"God bless you, Kit! I would rather have those words from you than
a free pardon. And now good-night, or rather, good-day. You have
your duties before you, and I must get some sleep;" and I embraced
the generous boy with a full heart.

The next afternoon I set out to look over the town and mark the
effect of the English fire during the bombardment, and could not
but admire how destructive it had been, nor withhold my approval
of the efforts the garrison had put forth during the past winter
to repair the results of their own handiwork.

As I wandered round the Cape I caught sight of le pere Jean leaning
against the parapet of la batterie du Clerge, gloomily surveying
the dismal prospect of a river full of drifting ice and a desolate
and half-frozen country beyond.

He turned as I approached, and greeted me with a return of the
manner that was once habitual with him. "I was glad to hear you
found friends last night, Chevalier."

"Thank you, yes. I found friends both new and old," I answered,
glancing at him curiously.

But he had turned towards the river again, and waved his hand
outward. "This is all emblematic of our fortress, I fear
--dissolution," he said, wearily.

"One might descant on the promise of spring and the renewal of
hope, but in reality I gather as little from the prospect as you
do," I returned. And side by side we leaned over the parapet, and
continued to indulge our cheerless speculations in