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dusky groups of savages, who looked out from the margin of the surrounding woods, curious spectators of the interview.

โ€œMonsieur de Montcalm will readily acknowledge the difference in our situation,โ€ he said, with some embarrassment, pointing at the same time toward those dangerous foes, who were to be seen in almost every direction. โ€œWere we to dismiss our guard, we should stand here at the mercy of our enemies.โ€

โ€œMonsieur, you have the plighted faith of un gentilhomme Franรงais, for your safety,โ€ returned Montcalm, laying his hand impressively on his heart; โ€œit should suffice.โ€

โ€œIt shall. Fall back,โ€ Duncan added to the officer who led the escort; โ€œfall back, sir, beyond hearing, and wait for orders.โ€

Munro witnessed this movement with manifest uneasiness; nor did he fail to demand an instant explanation.

โ€œIs it not our interest, sir, to betray distrust?โ€ retorted Duncan. โ€œMonsieur de Montcalm pledges his word for our safety, and I have ordered the men to withdraw a little, in order to prove how much we depend on his assurance.โ€

โ€œIt may be all right, sir, but I have no overweening reliance on the faith of these marquesses, or marquis, as they call themselves. Their patents of nobility are too common to be certain that they bear the seal of true honor.โ€

โ€œYou forget, dear sir, that we confer with an officer, distinguished alike in Europe and America for his deeds. From a soldier of his reputation we can have nothing to apprehend.โ€

The old man made a gesture of resignation, though his rigid features still betrayed his obstinate adherence to a distrust, which he derived from a sort of hereditary contempt of his enemy, rather than from any present signs which might warrant so uncharitable a feeling. Montcalm waited patiently until this little dialogue in demi-voice was ended, when he drew nigher, and opened the subject of their conference.

โ€œI have solicited this interview from your superior, monsieur,โ€ he said, โ€œbecause I believe he will allow himself to be persuaded that he has already done everything which is necessary for the honor of his prince, and will now listen to the admonitions of humanity. I will forever bear testimony that his resistance has been gallant, and was continued as long as there was hope.โ€

When this opening was translated to Munro, he answered with dignity, but with sufficient courtesy:

โ€œHowever I may prize such testimony from Monsieur Montcalm, it will be more valuable when it shall be better merited.โ€

The French general smiled, as Duncan gave him the purport of this reply, and observed:

โ€œWhat is now so freely accorded to approved courage, may be refused to useless obstinacy. Monsieur would wish to see my camp, and witness for himself our numbers, and the impossibility of his resisting them with success?โ€

โ€œI know that the king of France is well served,โ€ returned the unmoved Scotsman, as soon as Duncan ended his translation; โ€œbut my own royal master has as many and as faithful troops.โ€

โ€œThough not at hand, fortunately for us,โ€ said Montcalm, without waiting, in his ardor, for the interpreter. โ€œThere is a destiny in war, to which a brave man knows how to submit with the same courage that he faces his foes.โ€

โ€œHad I been conscious that Monsieur Montcalm was master of the English, I should have spared myself the trouble of so awkward a translation,โ€ said the vexed Duncan, dryly; remembering instantly his recent byplay with Munro.

โ€œYour pardon, monsieur,โ€ rejoined the Frenchman, suffering a slight color to appear on his dark cheek. โ€œThere is a vast difference between understanding and speaking a foreign tongue; you will, therefore, please to assist me still.โ€ Then, after a short pause, he added: โ€œThese hills afford us every opportunity of reconnoitering your works, messieurs, and I am possibly as well acquainted with their weak condition as you can be yourselves.โ€

โ€œAsk the French general if his glasses can reach to the Hudson,โ€ said Munro, proudly; โ€œand if he knows when and where to expect the army of Webb.โ€

โ€œLet General Webb be his own interpreter,โ€ returned the politic Montcalm, suddenly extending an open letter toward Munro as he spoke; โ€œyou will there learn, monsieur, that his movements are not likely to prove embarrassing to my army.โ€

The veteran seized the offered paper, without waiting for Duncan to translate the speech, and with an eagerness that betrayed how important he deemed its contents. As his eye passed hastily over the words, his countenance changed from its look of military pride to one of deep chagrin; his lip began to quiver; and suffering the paper to fall from his hand, his head dropped upon his chest, like that of a man whose hopes were withered at a single blow. Duncan caught the letter from the ground, and without apology for the liberty he took, he read at a glance its cruel purport. Their common superior, so far from encouraging them to resist, advised a speedy surrender, urging in the plainest language, as a reason, the utter impossibility of his sending a single man to their rescue.

โ€œHere is no deception!โ€ exclaimed Duncan, examining the billet both inside and out; โ€œthis is the signature of Webb, and must be the captured letter.โ€

โ€œThe man has betrayed me!โ€ Munro at length bitterly exclaimed; โ€œhe has brought dishonor to the door of one where disgrace was never before known to dwell, and shame has he heaped heavily on my gray hairs.โ€

โ€œSay not so,โ€ cried Duncan; โ€œwe are yet masters of the fort, and of our honor. Let us, then, sell our lives at such a rate as shall make our enemies believe the purchase too dear.โ€

โ€œBoy, I thank thee,โ€ exclaimed the old man, rousing himself from his stupor; โ€œyou have, for once, reminded Munro of his duty. We will go back, and dig our graves behind those ramparts.โ€

โ€œMessieurs,โ€ said Montcalm, advancing toward them a step, in generous interest, โ€œyou little know Louis de St. Veran if you believe him capable of profiting by this letter to humble brave men, or to build up a dishonest reputation for himself. Listen to my

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