n, such as no sane people would have wished to go to
sea on; that there was something very suspicious about their movements,
as they had persisted in trying to escape, although fired at by the
soldiers, and that he had considered it his duty to bring them up for
examination, as he could not understand them or make them understand
him.

"You acted rightly, Captain Dupont," said the general. "Let them be
brought to my quarters, and I'll send for Colonel O'Toole to
cross-question them." Bill and Jack understood every word that was
said. "We are in for it," said Bill; "but we must put a bold face on
the matter, and speak the truth. We can say that we were living in the
cavern for some time, and that when the brig was wrecked, we resolved at
once to build a raft, and get back to our own country."

"It would save a great deal of trouble if we were to say that we were
wrecked in the brig, and then it would be but natural that we should try
to escape from her," replied Jack.

"It would not be the truth, and we should not be believed," answered
Bill. "I would say just what happened--that our ship caught fire and
blew up, that we were saved by the fishermen, that some French soldiers
got hold of us and carried us off prisoners, and that we made our escape
from them. We need not mention the names of our friends, and perhaps
the interpreter won't be very particular in making inquiries."

Bill finally persuaded Jack to agree that they should give a true
account of themselves, leaving out only such particulars as were not
necessary to mention, such as their visit to the Turgots, and their
discovery of the smugglers' stores.

The general, who was making a survey of the country around the camp,
rode on with his staff, while Captain Dupont and his men conducted their
two young prisoners to head quarters, there to await his return.

The general was residing in an old chateau, with a high-peaked roof, and
towers at each of the angles of the building.

The party passed through the gateway, and proceeded to a room near the
chief entrance, which served as a guard-room.

The soldiers remained outside, while the captain, with two men to guard
the prisoners, entered. Jack and Bill had to wait for some time, during
which they were allowed to sit on a bench by themselves.

Jack began to make observations on the people around them.

"Hush!" whispered Bill, "some one here may understand English better
than we suppose, and we shall