Bob Hunt in Canada | Page 5

geography at first hand this morning."
"When do we leave for Tadousac?" asked Bill.
"We go down to-morrow on the boat," said Bob.
"That's fine," said Pud. "We can see the town this afternoon."
"You bet we will," said Bill.
"Where are we staying?" asked Pud.
"At the Chateau Frontenac," said Bob. "It's that building up on the cliff there."
"That's some hotel," said Pud.
"You'll think so before to-morrow," said Bill.
"Say, let's go up to the Plains of Isaac and see where John Paul Jones fell when he captured Quebec from the English," said Pud.
At this, Bill and Bob just curled up and laughed until they nearly fell off their chairs.
"What's the matter?" asked Pud. "Isn't that the real place to see in Quebec?"
"You need some history lessons as well as geography," said Bill.
"Well, let's have it," said Pud. "I know I'm always getting things fatally twisted."
"You mean the Plains of Abraham," said Bob.
"Oh, Abraham, Jacob or Isaac, it's all the same, isn't it?" said Pud, apparently rather disgusted that they had blamed him for such a natural mistake.
"And, who ever heard of John Paul Jones taking Quebec?" asked Bill, looking at Bob.
"Well, who was it?" said Pud. "Those historical names always get me."
"It was Wolfe, the famous young English general. He was killed in the moment of victory, and the French general, Montcalm, also was killed," said Bob.
"Well, let's go out there and see the place," said Pud. "It must be interesting."
By this time, they were across the St. Lawrence and at the mercy of about a hundred cab drivers. Bob led the way and they were soon going up the hill to the Chateau. In the dining-hall, they heard practically nothing but English spoken as the Chateau was the place where most of the tourists stayed. After an excellent lunch, they sauntered out to see the sights. They were again mobbed by the cabbies.
"Let's take one of those funny-looking cabs," said Pud.
"That's just what I was looking for," said Bob. "Father told me to be sure and have a ride in a 'caleche,' as he called it."
They got into the 'caleche,' which is just like a hansom cab except that the old-fashioned leather springs were used, and instead of the driver sitting behind, he rode in front on a sort of wide dashboard. Away they went and the driver plied the whip. The horse was not large but proved strong and wiry. In a short time, the boys were out on the Plains of Abraham, looking at the various monuments marking the great battle which meant the end of the French dominion in Canada. They saw the monuments to Wolfe and Montcalm and enjoyed the view far south into the United States. Their guide showed them the path up which Wolfe climbed with his soldiers to surprise the French that memorable morning. After seeing the sights there, they drove back and went through part of the citadel. This proved to be one of the strongest forts in America, and its strength, the number of British Tommies about, the guns of large caliber that could be seen, so impressed the boys that Bob at last broke out.
"This is some fort. It would take a real siege gun to make much of an impression on those walls and ramparts while I guess those big cannon would do a little talking themselves."
"I should think so," said Pud.
"Wait a minute," said Bill. "I'd like to get some photos."
Thereupon, he pulled out a little pocket kodak he had, and got ready to focus on a big gun set in an embrasure of the walls. Before he could move almost, a soldier was at his side and said,
"You are under arrest. It is forbidden to bring kodaks or cameras of any kind within these walls."
"I didn't know that," said Bill. "I simply wanted to take a few photos of the place."
"You'll have to explain all that to the Commandant," said the Tommie, as he led the way.
The whole thing had happened so suddenly that neither Bob nor Pud had time to say a word before they saw Bill turn to follow the soldier.
"May we not go with our friend?" asked Bob of the Tommie.
"I was about to ask that you accompany us, for though you are not under arrest, I'll have to bring you along as witnesses."
"Don't worry, Pud," said Bob. "It'll be all right. We're not at war and we were not doing anything very wrong."
"That's all very well," said Pud also in a low tone. "They may take us for spies and keep us locked up here all summer."
"Oh, Tommyrot," said Bob, though at heart he did not know just what was liable to happen.
In the meantime, the party went along the walk until they came to a big door. They entered and soon were asked to seat themselves