Part 7 (2/2)

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

”What s.h.i.+p 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 s.h.i.+p?”

”Captain Ducrot.”

”Ah! Very good. You see, monsieur,” said Cazeneau to Claude, ”this s.h.i.+p 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 a.s.sured 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 circ.u.mstances. If the s.h.i.+p 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 s.h.i.+p. As for the aged Laborde, he was still too weak to take any notice of events going on around him; while Mimi, perhaps, found herself as well situated here, under the care of Claude, as she could possibly be on the larger s.h.i.+p, under the care of one who might be less agreeable. Claude himself would certainly have preferred letting things remain as they were. The situation was very pleasant. Mimi's occasional companions.h.i.+p seemed sweeter than anything he had ever known; and, as he was master on board, he naturally had a certain right to show her attentions; which right he could not have under other circ.u.mstances.

He would have liked to see Cazeneau take his departure for good, together with the French sailors, leaving Laborde and Mimi on board the schooner. Finally, Zac was not at all pleased with anything in his present situation. The thought of possible foul play never left his mind for an instant; and though the blow was delayed for a considerable time, he could not help feeling sure that it would fall.

During this period of waiting, the aged Laborde had been brought up on deck, and placed there on a seat. This was done from a hope which Mimi had that he would be benefited by the excitement of the change.

The sight of the s.h.i.+p, however, produced but little effect of any kind upon the languid and worn-out old man. He gave an indifferent glance at the frigate and the surrounding scene, and then subsided into himself, while Mimi in vain strove to rouse him from his indifference.

At last their suspense came to an end, and they saw preparations making for another visit to the schooner. This time a second boat was lowered, which was filled with marines. The sight of this formidable boat's crew produced on Claude an impression of surprise; while in Zac it enforced a conviction that his worst fears were now to be realized.

”Look thar!” said he in a hoa.r.s.e whisper. ”Now you see what's a comin'! Good by, poor old Parson! Yer in the claws of the Philistines now, an' no mistake.”

To this Claude made no reply, for he began to feel rather perplexed himself, and to imagine that Cazeneau might have been playing him false. All that Mimi had said about him now came to his mind, and the armed boat's crew seemed like the first act of a traitor. He tried to account for this in some other way, but was not able. He could no longer laugh away Zac's fears. He could only be still and wait.

The two boats rowed towards the schooner. Cazeneau was not in either of them. He had remained on board. At length one of the boats touched the schooner, and the same officer who had visited her before again stepped on board.

”Is the Count de Laborde here?” he asked.

Claude pointed to where the old man was seated. The officer advanced, and removed his hat with a bow to the old count, and another to the beautiful Mimi.

”Monsieur le Comte,” said he, ”I have the honor to convoy to you the compliments of Captain Ducrot, with the request that you would honor him with your company on board the Aigle. His excellency the Comte de Cazeneau, commandant of Louisbourg, has persuaded him to convey himself, and you, and some others, to the nearest French fort. It is the intention of Captain Ducrot to sail back up the Bay of Fundy, and land you at Grand Pre, from which place you can reach Louisbourg by land.”

To this Laborde murmured a few indistinct words in reply, while Mimi made no remark whatever. She was anxious to know what Claude was intending to do. The officer now turned away to the others.

”My instructions,” said he, ”are, to convey the invitation of Captain Ducrot to Monsieur l'Abbe Michel and Lieutenant d'Angers, whom he will be happy to receive on board the Aigle, and convey them to Grand Pre, or France. The two seamen of the Arethuse will also go on board and report themselves.”

The officer now went back to Laborde, and offered, to a.s.sist him. The old man rose, and taking his arm, walked feebly towards the vessel's side, whence he descended into the boat, and was a.s.sisted to the stern by the seamen. The officer then a.s.sisted Mimi to a place by her father's side, antic.i.p.ating Claude, who stepped forward with the offer of his a.s.sistance. Then followed Pere Michel, and Lieutenant d'Angers, of the Arethuse; then Margot; and, finally, the two seamen.

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