"Capital, though not so good as that one higher up which is well guarded and where double sentries will always be posted."
As he spoke, Roderick caught view of moving figures on the highway near the Plains of Abraham.
"Look Pauline," he said. "Do you know those fellows?"
"I do not. Are they soldiers?"
"They call themselves Virginia riflemen. They are the advance guard of the rebel army. They have been prowling around for the past two days."
"Virginia riflemen, Roddy?" said Pauline looking up with an expression of languid inquiry in her dark eyes.
"Yes. You ought to know something about them. Don't you remember the young officer who escorted you to the gates the day before yesterday?"
"Oh," replied Pauline, with no attempt to conceal her surprise or interest, "you don't mean to say that he is down there among those poor unsheltered men?"
"I do, certainly, and I am sure he enjoys it. I would in his place. He has plenty of room to rove about in. It is not like being cooped up, as we are, within these narrow walls."
"Well, he is strong and hearty and can stand a little hardship. That's some comfort," said Pauline wagging her little head sympathetically.