ard, for there he saw before him on the ground
the Bible, which the priest, in his eagerness to hold back Constance,
had let drop, and had forgotten to take with him when the count
appeared.

"Blessed Book!" exclaimed Tecumah. "Let me be its guardian. Your cruel
persecutors shall not burn it while I have it in charge, and you may
come over to read it, or when the search is over I will bring it back to
you."

To this proposal Monsieur Laporte willingly agreed; and while the
Indian, wrapping it up carefully, concealed it beneath his cloak, the
minister closed the box in which it was wont to be put, and covered it
over again with earth and leaves.

Cora begged that she might be allowed to continue with Constance till
the following morning or longer. "We were not observed coming into the
house," she said, "and it will not be known that I am here. I have my
reasons for wishing to remain."

The count and Constance of course agreed to what Cora wished. Before
her brother quitted the house she had a short and earnest conversation
with him. Tecumah, having spent some time with the minister, hurried to
his canoe and rapidly crossed to the north side of the harbour.

Meanwhile, Nigel was dragged along by his captors. He had been so
completely surprised that it was impossible for him to escape; and
finding this, he walked along without making any further resistance.

The priest soon overtook the party. In vain Nigel tried to learn from
him what had become of Constance.

"It's not my duty to answer questions," he replied; "but I have some,
notwithstanding, to ask you. How is it that, knowing the orders of the
governor, you ventured to read that book from which you draw all your
heresies?"

"I am not aware that I have drawn anything but truth through the
teaching of the Holy Spirit," answered Nigel.

"That is the notion all you heretics hold!" exclaimed the priest. "It
is the origin of your pestiferous principles."

"I was not prohibited from reading it in my own country, and I claim as
a Scotchman the right to do so wherever I am," answered Nigel.

"No person of whatever country has the right to act contrary to the
commands of the Catholic Church," answered the priest, furiously; "and
that Church positively forbids laymen from reading the Bible, or putting
their own interpretations on it, therefore to whatever nation you belong
you are under its rule, and are equally guilty. But I waste words in
arguing with