it very difficult to tear himself from a spot which has so much natural
beauty, and historic interest, but anxious to follow his friends, he
offered the soldier a few pieces of change, and asked him if he was
willing to show him the fortification, and then guide him to the Plains
of Abraham, whither his father had gone.

The soldier civilly, and indeed thankfully assented, and they proceeded
together. The man, evidently pleased with the intelligent questions put
to him by Edward, which he answered in a way that indicated a knowledge
of his profession quite unusual in a common soldier. Edward inquired the
design of the Martello towers, of the bastions, scarps and counterscarps,
of this fosse, that glacis, &c. &c. at last, stopping suddenly, while
his dilating form and beaming face expressed the youthful heroism that
glowed in his breast, he said, "It is a strong place, a very strong
place indeed; but I do think _we_ could take it."

"_We!_" exclaimed the soldier, darting at him a look of eager inquiry;
"who are _we_?"

"Why, we Americans."

"Americans!" echoed the soldier, and then starting back and dashing the
silver Edward had given him to the ground. "Have I," he said, "served my
king four and twenty years, to be bribed by an American boy at last? has
it come to this, Richard Barton?"

"Richard Barton!" echoed Edward in his turn.

"Yes, my young man, Richard Barton; a poor name, but an honest one,
thank God."

"Richard Barton!" again repeated Edward. "But it cannot be the Richard
Barton I mean."

"I don't know who you mean, sir, but I shall take care and report you to
my officer, and clear myself of all blame."

"Do not be so hasty, my good friend," said Edward, with an expression of
innocence and good nature, that went far to remove the honest soldier's
suspicions; "it is true I have troubled you with a great many questions,
but I had no motive but curiosity; we yankees, you know, are a curious
race. Come, I shall hold you to your agreement; take up the money and go
along with me."

"No--no--I never will touch the money; but I will go with you, there can
be no harm in that."

"Well," said Edward, picking up the pieces, "if you won't take it, I
know a Richard Barton that will, and he shall have it too; and now, if I
was not afraid you would take me to the guard-house, I would put some
more questions to you."

"Oh, put them and welcome, young man; now I know that you are an
American, I can use my disc