“Yes, yes,” cried Corinne eagerly; “we know that!  But where are the prisoners?”

“They are below, in the house.  They brought them to the Abbe, our uncle.  They profess not to speak French, these lads, but I think they understand it fast enough.

“Come down and hear their story, my aunt; and you also, Corinne.  They have been left in our care by the order of Monsieur de Montcalm, that we may win from them all that they know, respecting the strength of the English fleet.  Let us go and hear what they say.”

“How came they to be taken?” asked Madame Drucour, as she rose to accompany Colin.

“They were taken on shore.  They had left their ship, perhaps without leave, and were amusing themselves upon the island.  The men in our boat watched them, and presently landed cautiously and surrounded them.  They made a gallant struggle, but were captured at length.  And now they have been brought to us that we may get from them all the information we can.  Our uncle is talking to them even now.  I want to hear, and I want Corinne also to hear what they say.”

“And the poor lads will doubtless be hungry,” said Madame Drucour, always thoughtful for the comfort of others; “we will set food before them as they talk.  They shall see that we are not harsh captors.”

It was three bright-faced, bronzed English lads that they found in the lower room with the good Abbe.  He had induced the rest of the people to disperse, and was now alone with the captives.  The lads seemed quite disposed to be talkative, and when the lady entered bearing food, their eyes brightened; they stood up and made their bows to all, and fell upon the victuals with a hearty goodwill.

“Strong!  I should think it was strong,” cried the eldest of the three, in response to a question from the Abbe respecting the English squadron on the way:  “why, there are more than thirty ships of the line, and with frigates, sloops-of-war, and transports they must number over fifty.  Then we have ten fine ships under Admiral Durell, waiting to join the main fleet when it comes; and there is another squadron under Admiral Holmes, which has gone to New York to take up the troops mustered in New England for the reduction of Quebec.  Oh, it will be a grand sight, a grand sight, when it comes sailing up the waters of the St. Lawrence!  Quebec, I dare wager, has never seen such a sight before!”

The faces of all the lads were full of animation and pride.  They appeared to have no fears for their personal safety.  They were enthusiastic in their descriptions of the wonderful feats which the world would soon see, and when once started on the subject were ready to talk on and on.

“They have fifteen or sixteen thousand men—­picked troops—­with the gallant Wolfe in command,” cried another.  “You have seen something already of what Wolfe can do when he is set upon a task!”

Madame Drucour made a little sign of assent; she had learned that lesson herself very fully.  The lad made her a courtly bow, for he knew her well, having been at the siege of Louisbourg, and having seen her when he had entered the fortress to view it after the surrender.