"Half an hour ago he certainly was gone," replied Edith, "for the servant went to look for him and could not find him."
"He may be still in the bushes," said the French officer. "I will send out a party to search;" and he turned from the door of the hut.
Edith followed a step or two to see the result; but hardly had Monsieur Le Comtois given his orders, in obedience to which about a dozen men issued forth, some clambering over the breastworks, some running round by the flanks, when a French officer, brilliantly dressed, rode into the redoubt, followed by a mounted soldier, and Edith retired into the hut again.
Le Comtois saluted the newcomer reverently, and the other gave a hasty glance around, saying: "Get your men under arms as speedily as possible. On the maintenance of this post and the two abattis depends the safety of the fortress. I trust, then, to the honor of French gentlemen, and the faith of our Indian allies. Neither will tarnish the glory of France or their own renown by yielding a foot of ground while they can maintain it."
He spoke aloud, so as to make his voice heard all over the enclosure; but then, bending down his head till it was close to Le Comtois' ear, he added, in a low tone, almost a whisper: "The English are within sight. Their first boats are disembarking the troops. Monsieur de Levi, with our reinforcements, has not appeared. All depends upon maintaining the outposts till he can come up. This, sir, I trust to you with full confidence, as a brave man and an experienced soldier. I must now visit the other posts. Farewell! Remember, the glory of France is in your hands!"
Thus saying, he rode away, and the bustle of instant preparation spread through the little fort. The French soldiers were drawn up within the breastworks, and the stores and ammunition gathered together near the center of the open space, so as to be readily available whenever they were wanted. Two parties of Hurons were placed upon the flanks, so as to be ready to rush out with the tomahawk the moment opportunity offered. Next came the long lines of French muskets; and in the center of the longest face of the breastwork were placed Apukwa and his companions, with their rifles in their hands, and a small party of French soldiers forming a second line behind them, thus insuring their faith, and rendering the fire from the center more fierce. Their presence, indeed, was needed at the moment, for the men who had been sent out in pursuit of Woodchuck had either mistaken the order not to go far, or had lost their way, and they had not reappeared when the whole preparations were complete.
These had occupied some time, although Monsieur Le Comtois had shown all the activity and precision of a thorough soldier, giving his orders rapidly, but coolly and clearly, and correcting every error as soon as made. The Indians, indeed, gave him the greatest embarrassment, for they were too eager for the fight, and--never subjected to military discipline--were running hither and thither to the points they thought most advantageous, without consideration of the general arrangements.
The Frenchman found time, however, for a few courteous words to Edith. "I am greatly embarrassed, my dear young lady," he said, "by your presence here, as we expect to be attacked every instant. I wish to heaven Monsieur de Montcalm had taken you away with him; but in the hurry of the moment I did not think of it, and I have no means of sending you away now; and besides, the risk to yourself would be still greater than staying here. I believe you are as safely posted in this hut as anywhere. It is near enough to the breastwork to be protected from the fire of the enemy, but you may as well lie down upon the bearskin if you hear musketry."
"Could I not place myself actually under the breast-work?" asked Edith, remembering the instructions sent to her.
"Impossible!" replied the officer. "That space is all occupied by the soldiers and Indians. You are better here. If we should be driven back--which God forbid!--you will be safe, as you speak English, and can say who you are: but remember, address yourself to an officer, for the canaille get mad in time of battle; and on no account trust an Indian!"