Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-11-17
Copyright. 1901, by ID. Appleton & Co.. New York.
CHAPTER XIV.

Ing the governor and his staff in the
great hall Of the castle. The sun
light sparkled in through the long.
narrow lancet windows with their
loaded. diamond shaped panes, and
made strange traceries upon the pol
ished oaken floor Pictures of the for
mer governors OF New France looked
down upon the little scene from the
walls. There was the dauntless Cham
plain, the veteran La Barre, the court
~ du Quesne, and, conspicuous among
the rest, the grim, eaglelike figure of
the greatest OF all--old Frontenac
The history of the province was some
how summed up in that old vauted
chamber. and dc Wire felt as If he
were on trial before the heroism Of the
past as well as the DISCRIMINATION Of
the present
Monsieur de Wire, you are accused
of having betrayed your country by
plotting the English ships mp the
river" began the governor.
And who is my accuser, Monsieur
de Ramcsay?" answered de Wire,
boldly.
common report.
And does common report, sir, out
weigh the word of honor Of an officer
and a gentlemas?"
DO you deny the charge, mon
slew"
Sir upon my word of honor. 7 de-
clare it to be false in every partlcu-
iar!"
But, sir. you were seen, recognized
bv officers stationed or Cap-Tour-
mente on the forward part of the first
English ship to pass the promontory
There was group OF English officers
around you. You seemed to be point
ing---is it no so, Mai, 81. Luce
at is indeed true, sir. ! saw Mon
sieur de Wire myself" answered the
officer, promptly.
"Tf Monsieur st Luc had seen me
ope-half hour sooner he would have
noticed me standing on the rail Of the
ship with a rope around my neck
about to be hanged as common felon
for refusing 10 show the way to the
English
Can this be true. sir?" asked the
governor Ill SURPRISE
"On my faith it is. ! give you my
word. sir
eve don't accept the word Of a mar
accused OF treachery, sir. Although
have no doubt you were on the rail
as you say, yet | have also no doub
but that the presence of the rope
proved efIicacious
Mon Dieu what an infamou:
charge" cried de Wire, white witt
rage and passion at his insult, striv
ing to break away from his guards.
The governor watched him coolll
until he ceased to struggle; then, non
chalautly taking a pinch Of snun:
BE calm, monsieur he added. &"
might have taken your word, but Their
is another circumstance which mus
be explained, and which makes it diffi
cult TO credit your story. The dres
you wear-it is an English coat"
May it please Monsieur lie Cow
erneur," spoke up the sergeant, g
saw him in the front rank OF the Eng
lish as they charged us He carrie
musket in his hand.
81 was there"
Did you discharge the musket?'
Yes. Monsieur lc Chevalier-tha
Is. | had done So"
at the troops OF France"
Yes. but
\ roar of rage swept through III
hall as The men heard this damnin
admission
why hear any more, Monsieur
Chevaler?" burst out Capt. ROuvign,
voicing the thought Of the others. 81
he be not self convicted traitor, lf
him be shot as deserter."
"Messieurs. you must hear me
You SHALL" exclaimed de Wire.
have been a prisoner in the EDglis
fleet Through the connivance or
soldier in their marine | procured tn
uniform escaped from the shi
last night | hoped 10 reach the tow
and warn You and Monsieur de Mon
calm of the expected attack on II
town before morning, but ] found
impossible 10 act away. | was con
PEELED to stay in the ranks, and wit
difficulty escaped detection. | posi-
a. a renegade or / would have bee
Killed out Of hand. My gun was n
loaded with ball, | looked careful
TO that, gentlemen ! swear to you
threw il away at the first moment al
ran TO join my friends. AS there
d God in Heaven, Monsieur le Che
alier ! speak the truth, beg "
to hold me until you can cOmmunica
with the English and verify my stat
ment.
We cannot hold the town a wee
Monsieur de Wire returned the 60
ernor quickly. And to defer 20
punishment until the English take
would mean to let you escape sec
free. Frankly, | do not believe 20
story. What say you, gentlemen?'
mo. no, he is a traitor. Away wi
HIM" cried one and another.
Gentlemen, if / ever escape frc
this predicament," answered de Vii
boldly, rest assured that you sh
answer to me for your words and q
tions!"
This is idle talk, monsieur" SO
the governor severely; AS the col
mandant OF the garrison ! shall orc
you to be- shot at once. upon your o.
admissions. which you have failed
explain to our satisfaction, If there
no one here who will protest. or S