Half ashamed of his own timidity, he resolved to address him, and seek the information he was so desirous of obtaining, if, indeed, he had been sufficiently conversant with the French settlers to communicate his ideas in that language.

While he still hesitated, the Indian had secured his canoe, and as he stooped to take something from it, he began to hum in a low voice, and presently, to the great surprise of Hector, broke into a lively French air, the words and tune of which were perfectly familiar to his ear.

The dog also seemed to recognize it; he started on his feet, listened attentively, and then, with a joyful bark, sprang towards the Indian, and began to fawn around him and lick his hands, with every demonstration of sincere pleasure.
"By our lady, you are a brave fellow, my faithful Hero," said the Indian, in very pure French, as he caressed the animal; then casting a searching glance around, he continued to address him, "But how came you here, and alone, to greet your master on his return ?" The page could scarcely repress an exclamation of surprise, as he listened to the well-remembered voice; but drawing his cloak more closely round him, and confining his dark locks beneath the tartan bonnet, which he pulled over his brow, he advanced nearer, though still unseen, and said in a disguised tone, "Methinks thou art but a sorry actor, to be thrown off thy guard by the barking of a dog; if I had a tongue so little used to keep its own counsel, I would choose a mask which it would not so readily betray." "Thou art right, by all the saints," replied the other; "and be thou friend or foe, I will see to whom I am indebted for this sage reproof." So saying, he darted towards the place where the page was concealed, and Hector, hiding his face as much as possible, bowed with an air of profound respect before him.
"Ha! whom have we here ?" he asked, surveying the page with extreme curiosity.
"The page of my lady De la Tour;" returned Hector, his laughing eye drooping beneath the inquisitorial gaze.
"A pretty popinjay, brought out for my lady's amusement!" said the stranger, smiling; "you make rare sport with your antic tricks, at the fort yonder, I doubt not, boy." "I am but a poor substitute for my lord's lieutenant, whose mirth was as far-famed as his courage;" returned the page, gravely.
"Thou art a saucy knave!" said the other, quickly; but instantly checking himself, he added, "and how fares it with your lady, in the absence of her lord ?" "She is well, thank heaven, but"-- "But what ?" interrupted the stranger, eagerly; "is any one--has any misfortune reached her ?" "None, which she has not had the courage to resist; the baffled foe can tell you a tale of constancy and firmness, which the bravest soldier might be proud to emulate." "Bravely spoken, my little page; and your lady doubtless found an able assistant and counsellor in you! ha! how fared it with you, when the din of battle sounded in your ears ?" "Indifferently well," said the page, with a suppressed smile; "I am but a novice in the art of war.

But have you learned aught that has befallen us ?" "A rumour only has reached me, but I hope soon to obtain more accurate and satisfactory information." "You will hardly gain admittance to the fort in that harlequin dress," said Hector; "and I can save you the trouble of attempting it, by answering all the inquiries you may wish to make." "Can you ?" asked the other, with an incredulous smile; "then you are more deeply skilled than I could think, or _wish_ you to be." "It may be so," returned the page, significantly; "but you will soon find that the knowledge which you seek to gain, is as well known to me, as to any one whom you hope to find there." "You speak enigmas, boy," said the other, sharply; "tell me quickly to whom, and what you allude ?" "Go, ask my lady," said the page, with provoking calmness; "I may not betray the secrets of her household." "You!" said the other, scornfully; "a pretty stripling, truly, to receive the confidence of your lady." "If not my lady's," replied the page, "perhaps her young companion has less discretion in her choice of confidants." "Ha!" said the stranger, starting, and changing colour, in spite of his tawny disguise; "what say you of _her_?
speak; and speak truly, for I shall soon know if thou art false, from her own lips." "_Her_ lips will never contradict _my_ words," returned the boy; "but go, take the pass-word, enter the fort, and see--you will not find her there." "Not find her there ?" he repeated in astonishment, and with a bewildered air; then suddenly grasping the page's arm, he said, in no gentle tone, "Now, by my faith, boy, you test my patience beyond endurance; if I thought you were deceiving me"-- He stopped abruptly, and withdrew his hand, as a laugh, which he could no longer repress, burst from the lips of Hector, and at the same instant the heavy cloak fell from his shoulders to the ground.
"What mountebank trick is this ?" demanded the stranger, angrily; but, as his eye glanced over the figure of the page, his countenance rapidly changed, and in an altered tone, he exclaimed, "By the holy rood, you are"-- "Hush!" interrupted Hector, quickly pressing his finger on the other's lips; and, with a feeling of instinctive dread, he pointed to father Gilbert, who was approaching, and in a moment stood calmly and silently beside them.

As the young man turned to scan the person of the priest, Hector hastily gathered his cloak around him, and before they were aware of his intention, fled from the spot, and was soon secure within the walls of the fort.