"We have a great deal of wood country in Maryland," replied Cary, "but nothing like this in your Northern climates. I am strong and healthy, but there were many times when I almost despaired of reaching Quebec in safety."
"Where did your army organize?"
"In Cambridge, at the headquarters of General Washington."
"When?"
"In the middle of August."
"What was your definite object?"
"Well, when war against Great Britain became inevitable, we had to prepare ourselves for the worse. The battles of Lexington, Concord and Breed's Hill threw us on the defensive. But we could not be satisfied with that. We must act on the offensive. Congress then resolved to attack the English in Canada."
"The English?" exclaimed Sieur Sarpy.
"Yes, the English," said Zulma, turning towards her father with animation of look and gesture. "The English, not the French."
"Precisely, mademoiselle," resumed Cary, with a smile and a profound bow. "The French in Canada are our brothers and have as much reason as we to detest the British yoke."