The closing words were spoken in such a manner as to show that Duncan Hale was not one of those who had found it difficult to choose between King and people.
Doctor Canfield, who had so far said little, rose and walked to a large map of America that hung upon the wall.
'This is Nova Scotia,' he said, pointing to a large, irregular peninsula. 'Canada is further west, is it not?'
'THIS IS NOVA SCOTIA.' HE SAID, POINTING TO THE MAP.
We gathered about the map, a new and peculiar interest attaching to it, owing to the situation in which we were placed.
Duncan Hale explained fully and clearly that all the land on both sides of the water marked Bay of Fundy was called Nova Scotia. This was a single province, which had a Governor who lived in Halifax. 'Canada,' Lord Percy explained later to my mother, 'is known as the Province of Quebec. There are many French there,' he said; 'but in Nova Scotia most of the people are English or Scotch. In Halifax they have had a Parliament for some years now, and from all we have been able to learn the people here'—he swept his hand all over the peninsula and around the Bay of Fundy—'are happy and prosperous in the enjoyment of the liberties of all British subjects.'
After touching on the question of sailing for England, we discussed with Lord Percy more fully the relative merits of Canada and Nova Scotia. Then we went out.
As we passed along, we noticed that the streets were crowded. There were many soldiers in their bright red uniforms, but the great majority of the people were like ourselves—refugees who had come in from the surrounding towns and country for protection from the rebels who were daily becoming more insolent and offensive. We had come almost to the quarters kindly put at our disposal by Lord Percy, when in a crowd of plain countrymen I caught sight of a face which I was quite sure I had seen before. Doctor Canfield went on with my mother and sisters, while Duncan Hale and I turned aside.