Bill told her that he had come on that she might be saved from a longer
exposure to the rain than was necessary.

"Thank you," she answered. "I was delayed, or I should have set off
earlier, but a party of soldiers came to the village pretending that
they wanted to buy fish. I, however, suspected that they came to look
for you, and I waited till they had gone away again. We sold them all
the fish they asked for, and put on an unconcerned look, as if
suspecting nothing, I saw them, however, prying about, and I recognised
one of them as the sergeant who came in command of the party which
carried you off. I am not at all certain, either, that they will not
return, and I should not have ventured out, had I not known that you
must be greatly in want of food, and that, perhaps, should the storm
which is now beginning increase, many days might pass before I could
supply you."

The information given by Jeannette made Bill very glad that he had come
on to meet her. He, of course, thanked her warmly, and then asked what
chance there was of obtaining a boat.

"My father wishes you well, but is afraid to interfere in the matter,"
she answered. "He does not, perhaps, enter into your feelings about
getting back to England, because he thinks France the best country of
the two, and sees no reason why you should not become Frenchmen. As the
detachment of soldiers quartered in the neighbourhood will soon,
probably, be removed, you may then come back without fear, and resume
the clothes you before wore, and live with us, and help my father and
brother; then who knows what may happen? You will not have to fight
your own countrymen, and the war may some day come to an end, or perhaps
the French may conquer the English, and then we shall all be very good
friends again."

"Never! Jeannette; that will never happen," exclaimed Bill. "You are
very kind to us, and we are very fond of you, and would do anything to
serve you, and show our gratitude, but don't say that again."

Jeannette laughed. "Dear me, how fiery you are!" she exclaimed.
"However, it's foolish to stop talking here, and I ought to hurry home,
in case the soldiers should pay us another visit and suspect something.
Do not be angry, my dear Bill. I did not wish to offend you; only, you
know, we each think our own country the best."

Bill assured Jeannette that he was not angry, and again thanked her very
much, though he could not help saying that he was sorry he