misfortune! And she had on board the new
commandant for Louisbourg."

At this Cazeneau came forward.

"He is safe, monsieur, for I am he."

The officer respectfully removed his hat, and bowed very low.

"What ship is this?" asked Cazeneau, in the tone of a superior.

"L'Aigle," replied the officer.

"Where are you bound?"

"To Brest. We have just been cruising to the different settlements
and forts on the Bay of Fundy, with some supplies which were sent
from Louisbourg."

"Ah! And you are now on your return to France?"

"Yes."

"Who commands your ship?"

"Captain Ducrot."

"Ah! Very good. You see, monsieur," said Cazeneau to Claude, "this
ship is bound to France; and that destination will not suit any of
us. I think I had better go aboard and see the captain, with whom I
may have some little influence. Perhaps, as my command is an
important one, he may be persuaded to alter his course, and land us
at Louisbourg, or some other place.--And so, monsieur," he continued,
turning to the officer, "I shall be obliged to you if you will put me
aboard the Aigle."

The officer assured him that the boat was altogether at his service;
whereupon Cazeneau stepped aboard, followed by the officer, and in a
short time the boat was on its way back to the frigate. Claude
watched this in silence, and without any misgivings. It seemed to him
quite natural, and, indeed, the best thing that could be done, under
the circumstances. If the ship was going to France, she could not be
of service to them; but if her captain could be induced to change his
course and land them at Louisbourg, this would be exactly what they
wanted; and Cazeneau seemed to be the only one on board who was at
all likely to persuade the captain of the Aigle to do such a thing as
this.

It seemed a long time before any further notice was taken of the
schooner. Meanwhile, all on board were watching the frigate with much
anxiety, and wondering what the result would be. In any case it did
not seem a matter of very great importance to any one; for the
lieutenant and the two sailors, who might have been most concerned,
were very well treated on board the schooner,--better, perhaps, than
they would be on board a frigate,--and evinced no particular desire
to leave. The priest said nothing; and to him, as well as to Claude,
there was nothing to be gained by taking to the ship. As for the aged
Laborde, he was still too weak to take any notice of events going on