At any rate they were not reticent:  they told everything they knew and perhaps more.  They gloried in the thought of the fighting to come, and seemed to take their own captivity very lightly, evidently thinking it only a matter of a few weeks before they could be exchanged or released—­before their countrymen would be marching into Quebec.

“And as soon as General Amherst has got Ticonderoga, he will march here to help us, if we are not masters here first!” was the final shot of the senior midshipman.  “Not that Wolfe will need his help in the taking of Quebec, but he will want a share in the glory of it.  And all New England, and all those provinces which have been asleep so long, are waking up, eager to take their share now that the moment of final triumph is near.  There are so many fine troops waiting to embark that Admiral Holmes will probably have to leave the half behind.  But they will follow somehow, you will see.  They are thirsting to avenge themselves upon the Indians, and upon those who set the Indians on to harry and destroy their brothers along the borders!”

The Abbe translated this also into French, making a little gesture with his hand the while.

“I knew that retribution must sooner or later follow upon that great sin,” he said.  “Were it not for my feeling on that score, I should have firmer hopes for Quebec.  But God will not suffer iniquity to go long unpunished.  We have drawn down retribution upon our own heads!”

Montcalm made a gesture similar to that of the Abbe.

“I have said so myself many a time,” he replied.  “I hated and abhorred the means we have too often used.  It may be that what you say is right and just.  And yet I know that I shall not live to see Quebec in the hands of the English.  I can die for my country, and I am willing to do so; but I cannot and I will not surrender!”

“So they said at Louisbourg,” muttered one of the midshipmen to Colin, showing how easily he understood what was passing; “but they sang to a different tune when they had heard the music of our guns long enough!”

The Marquis was talking aside with the Abbe and Madame Drucour.  When the colloquy was over, the Abbe addressed the midshipmen.

“Monsieur de Montcalm is willing to release you on parole, and my sister, Madame Drucour, will permit you to remain in this house during your stay in the city.  You must give up your dirks, and pass your word not to try to escape; but after having done this, you will be free to come and go as you will.  And if the English should take prisoners of our French subjects, you shall be exchanged upon the first opportunity.  These are the terms offered you by Monsieur de Montcalm as the alternative to an imprisonment which would be sorely irksome to youths such as you.”

The lads looked at one another.  It was a promise rather hard to give, since there would be so many excellent opportunities for escape; but the thought of imprisonment in some gloomy subterranean portion of the fortress, even with the faint chance of effecting an escape from thence, was too sombre and repelling.  They accepted the lenient terms offered, passed their word with frank sincerity, and handed over their weapons with a stifled sigh.