Claude politely raised his hat, and the officer civilly returned his greeting.
"This, monsieur, is the schooner Amos Adams, of Boston. We have recently picked up the survivors of His Royal French Majesty's frigate 'Arethuse,' which has been lost at sea, and we have come to see whether you could take them. Will you have the goodness to tell me where you are going?"
"Mon Dieu!" exclaimed the officer, "the Arethuse lost! Is it possible? What a terrible misfortune! And she had on board the new commandant for Louisbourg."
At this Cazeneau came forward.
"He is safe, monsieur, for I am he."
The officer respectfully removed his hat, and bowed very low.
"What ship is this?" asked Cazeneau, in the tone of a superior.
"L'Aigle," replied the officer.
"Where are you bound?"
"To Brest. We have just been cruising to the different settlements and forts on the Bay of Fundy, with some supplies which were sent from Louisbourg."