United States or Vanuatu ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
The others were all comfortably disposed of, and Zac and Claude stowed themselves away as best they could feeling indifferent about themselves as long as they could minister to the wants of their guests. Food and sleep were the things that were the most needed by all these new-comers, and these they had in abundance. Under the beneficial effects of these, they began to regain their strength.
The only thing that Zac conceded was the liberty of the Acadian whom he had sent ashore; for he felt touched by the plucky conduct of this man in returning to the schooner. To his amazement, however, this man refused to go, declaring that he had come back to stand by his friends, and one of the others might be freed instead.
The good little Margot was very accessible, and had not failed to pour forth in language not very intelligible her sense of gratitude to Zac. She had not forgotten that it was Zac who had conveyed her in his strong arms from death to life, and therefore persisted in regarding him not only as the preserver of her own self, but as the real and only preserver of all the others.
But scarcely had they done so, than a loud cry sounded out, which thrilled through all hearts. Immediately after, a figure came bounding towards them. "Hooray! Hip, hip, hooray!" shouted the new comer. "Heavens! Zac!" cried Claude; "you here?" "Nobody else," replied Zac, wringing his hand. "But what are you going to do?"
Claude took the glass, and raising it to his eye, examined the strange sail long and carefully, but without being able to distinguish anything in particular about her. "What makes you think that she is a French frigate?" he asked, as he handed the glass back to Zac. "I cannot make out that she is French any more than English." "O, I can tell easy enough," said Zac, "by the cut of her jib.
They contented themselves with keeping a general lookout over the schooner and its crew, and taking turns at the night watch. In fact, the simple confidence of the Acadians in the security of their guard seemed to be justified by circumstances. These six stout men wore armed; Zac and his followers were unarmed. All the floating craft in the Basin belonged to the Acadians, and all the settlements.
This occupied some time, and Zac interrupted her with many questions. At length, having told her story, Margot turned away. This startled Zac. "What!" said he; "you're not a goin' to leave me!" and poor Zac's voice was like a wail of despair. "Why, what ees eet posseeble to do? I moos go to ma maitresse." "But-but what'll become of me?" mourned Zac. "I may never see you again." Margot sighed.
The Indian at once went off, together with the deserter, and these two drove the horses before them into the woods, along the path. Then Zac followed. Lifting Margot in his arms, he bore her lightly along, and soon disappeared in the woods. Then Claude took Mimi in his arms, and hastened as fast as he could towards the shelter of the woods.
Captain de Brissac then sent a crew aboard the Parson, and ordered them to follow the Vengeur to Louisbourg. Upon this new crew Terry looked with careful scrutiny. "Whisper, captain dear," said he, as he drew up to the meditative Zac. "Here's another lot o' Frinchmen. Is it afther thrying agin that ye are, to give 'em the slip?"
"O, you ain't ben to Boston; that's clar," said Zac, mildly. "Jest you wait till you see Boston; that's all." "Boston! I nevare hear of Boston," said Margot, "till you tell me. I do not believe eet it is more magnifique dan Paris." "The most magnificent town in the hull world," said Zac, calmly.
Word Of The Day