orders to convoy the prisoners to Quebec. I am glad
of it, for, in the first place, the slight wound I have received----"

"You wounded, my uncle?" exclaimed Isidore anxiously. "I hope it is
really slight; you are apt to think too lightly of such a thing."

"Oh, it is only a trifle, and there will be no great fatigue on the
march, as we shall probably go by water if we can find boats enough.
At Quebec I can rest and take care of myself; besides, I shall thus be
enabled to break the sad tidings myself to poor Marguerite, who is
staying there, and take measures for sending her over to France. Aha!
here is your guide; you will find him a first-rate fellow, and as true
as steel. Moreover, I fancy there are not many men, red-skinned or
white, who know the country you have to traverse better than our friend
Jean Baptiste Boulanger, woodman, _voyageur_, trader in peltries, and
everything else that can make a man at home in the backwoods."

Isidore looked at his guide, whose countenance seemed, to confirm this
favourable opinion. The Canadian looked at him, though more covertly,
and it must be owned that his face did not betray any evidence of a
similar good opinion of the young marquis. On the contrary, it was in
a rather sulky tone that, after touching his cap, the guide observed--

"Monsieur does not intend to make the journey in his uniform, and in
those boots?" (The last words were especially emphasised.) "If I
might be so bold, I would suggest a peasant's coat like mine, and a
pair of moccasins as likely to----"

"I go as I am, Master Guide," replied Isidore curtly. "Mind your own
business."

"H'm--well, perhaps you are right," said Monsieur de Valricour. "Yes,
stick to the uniform; a soldier cannot well do wrong in that, when
there is any doubt."

"Monsieur at least will take with him some better weapon than that
small sword," urged the Canadian. "But perhaps monsieur is not used to
carry a musket?"

"Yes, yes, do so, Isidore," said the baron. "Do that by all means; one
doesn't know what one may come across on such a journey."

Isidore would probably have refused, but that he felt somewhat nettled
at the guide's last remark, so he took a rifle from a pile of arms that
stood close by. To this the baron would fain have added a knapsack,
and Isidore seemed by no means disinclined to take one, as it would
enable him to carry with him some articles pertaining to the toilet,
which to him were rather nec