“Tell me,” said Wolfe, looking straight at the stalwart youth, whose lips had slightly drawn themselves back, showing the firm line of the white teeth beneath.

Humphrey had told his tale many times during the past months.  He told it to Wolfe that day—­told it with a curious graphic power, considering that his words were few, and that his manner was perfectly quiet.

A red flush mounted into Wolfe’s face, and died away again.  He drew his breath through, his teeth with a slightly whistling sound.  With him this was a sign of keen emotion.

“You saw all that?”

“With my own eyes.  I am telling no tale of hearsay.  And men have tales yet more horrid to tell—­tales to which a man may scarce listen for the horror and the shame.  This is the way the Indians serve the subjects of the English crown at the bidding of the servants of France!”

Wolfe raised his right hand, and let it slowly drop again.

“May Heaven give to me the grace,” he said, in a voice that vibrated with tense feeling, “to go forth to the succour of my countrymen there—­to fight and to avenge!”

After that there was silence for a while, and the servant came and brought coffee, and took orders for the entertainment and lodging of the guests.  When he had gone Wolfe was calm again, and listened with keen interest to the story they had to tell of their arrival in Pennsylvania, and of the extraordinary apathy of the colonists in the eastern towns, and the difficulty of arousing them to any concerted action with their own countrymen in the neighbouring provinces, even for the common defence.

Wolfe knew something of that, and of the causes at work to bring about such a result.  He talked with more comprehension and insight as to the state of infant colonies, partially self-governed and self-dependent, struggling out of leading strings, and intent upon growing to man’s estate, than anybody had hitherto done.

“We shall never have a second Canada out there such as France has won—­a country wholly dependent upon the one at home, looking always to her for government, help, care, money.  No, no; the spirit of those who went forth from England was utterly different.  They are English subjects still, but they want to rule themselves after their own way.  They will never be helpless and dependent; they will be more like to shake our yoke from off their necks when they arrive at man’s estate.  But what matter if they do?  We shall be brothers, even though the sea roll between them.  The parent country has sent them forth, and must protect them till they are able to protect themselves, even as the birds and the beasts of the fields defend their young.  After that we shall see.  But for my part I prefer that struggling spirit of independence and desire after self-government.  It can be carried too far; but it shows life, energy, youth, and strength.  If Canada were not bound hand and foot to the throne of the French tyrant, she would be a more formidable foe to tackle than she can show herself now.”