“It is a cause, in which we have no lot or portion,” said the elder Stanhope, in reply to his son’s arguments; “neither is it right that we should draw upon ourselves the vengeance of M. d’Aulney, by strengthening the power of a rival, who, perchance, hath no more of justice, or the king’s favor, than himself.”

“The public,” said Arthur, “is not responsible for the act of a few individuals; and the evil, if any exists, must fall entirely on our own heads.”

“It is an idle distinction, which the injured party will never acknowledge,” returned the father; “and I much wonder that the governor and magistrates suffer themselves to be blinded by such vain pretences.”

“We shall at least serve a good cause,” replied Arthur, “by humbling the arrogant pretensions of a papist,—­one who has set up a cross, and openly bowed before it, on the very borders of our territory.”

“And are you sure that the adventurer, La Tour, is free from the idolatry of that abominable church?” asked Mr. Stanhope.

“We should, I think, have the charity to believe so, till it is fully and fairly contradicted,” said Arthur; “we know that the crew of his vessel are mostly protestants from Rochelle, and would they follow the standard of a popish adventurer?”

“You are young, Arthur,” returned his father, “and know not yet the wiles of the deceiver; God forgive me, if I am uncharitable, but the testimony of many worthy persons goes to prove, that this same La Tour hath openly employed a monkish priest, dressed in the habit of a layman, as his agent in important concerns.”

“These persons may have been mistaken, father; at any rate, if we do sin, it is in ignorance, and we are certainly not accountable for the errors of others.”

“So, doubtless, reasoned Jehoshaphat,” his father replied, “when he was tempted, by a lying spirit, to join with Ahab, an idolater, against Ramoth-Gilead; and was he not reproved for helping the ungodly?”

“The cases appear to me widely different,” said Arthur; “and, in the present instance, I think we only obey the dictates of Christian charity, which enjoins us to assist the stranger in his distress.”

“You know my opinion, Arthur,” returned his father, “and I shall not prohibit you from following your inclination, as you are of an age to act and judge for yourself; but I require you to weigh the matter maturely, and not yield, without due consideration, to the impulse of an adventurous disposition.”

Arthur Stanhope readily promised to deliberate, and decide with the utmost caution; and the result of this deliberation was, to accept the command of a vessel of respectable force, which La Tour had taken into his service.  Three, of smaller size, the whole manned by about eighty volunteers, completed the equipment.  Thus successful, M. la Tour sailed from Boston, expressing the utmost respect and gratitude to its citizens, for the friendly aid they had granted to him.