Bob Hunt in Canada | Page 7

they were, where they came from, who their parents were, what business they were in, and a hundred other questions.
"Boys," said the Commandant, "I'm afraid that I'll have to detain you until Captain Abercrombie here can verify some of your statements."
Then, turning to the orderly, he said,
"Captain Abercrombie, call up the Chateau and see if these three are registered there as they state. Send Private Watson out to the West Gate to get the driver who took them to the Plains of Abraham this afternoon. Call up the Richelieu and Ontario Navigation Company's office and see if passage is booked for to-morrow for three in the name of Hunt. Look through their luggage at the Chateau and report as soon as possible."
"Very well, your Excellency," said the Captain, and saluting, he vanished.
"Private Watson," said the Commandant.
"At your orders, sir," said the private, clicking his heels as he saluted.
"Take these young gentlemen to the guard-house and remain with them until I send Captain Abercrombie to you with orders for their release."
"Very well, your Excellency," said Private Watson, as he led the way out of the room.
The boys followed him through the big room, out into the air and along a path until they came to a smaller building with iron bars at the windows. Private Watson had to stop and tell the nature of the errand to the soldier at the door, who finally saluted and let them in. They found themselves in a rather large antechamber. After a talk with the Captain in charge, the boys were led to a bright airy room on the second floor.
"I've brought you here, boys," said Private Watson, "because you can look out of the windows and find something to interest yourselves with. I can tell by the way in which Major-General Norris spoke that he thinks you are all right, so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. When you get tired of seeing the scenery, take a look at those old guns in the cases over there."
Thereupon, their escort left them and could be seen pacing in front of the door.
"You're a fine specimen," said Pud, as soon as the door was closed.
"Ah, what's the matter?" said Bill. "I suppose you think that I brought the camera along just to get us into trouble."
"You didn't seem to think it was serious a little while ago," replied Pud. "Then, you said it was a lark. This is a fine lark. If we're kept here, we'll miss our boat to-morrow and that will make us miss the other boat to Escoumains and then Mr. Waterman won't know where we are and it will ball everything up."
"Dry up, you old tear-bag," said Bob. "This isn't very serious. I can see why it's only right that they should be very careful around a fortress and any trouble we're in is our own fault, but Captain Abercrombie will find everything straight and we'll be out of here just in time to have a good dinner and to talk over our experience with gusto."
"I hope so, I hope so," said Pud, in such a dejected tone that even Bill had to laugh at him.
"Gee, I'm sorry, Bob, to get you two into all this trouble," said Bill to Bob.
"Don't worry. Things will be all right."
The boys then busied themselves watching the boats ply to and fro on the broad St. Lawrence. The people seemed like small flies far down on the esplanade near the Chateau Frontenac, while further down on the wharves, they could see a jumbled mass of people, carriages, carts, wagons, etc., all indicating how busy things were in Quebec. They found plenty to interest them, but at last they turned and began to examine the old muskets and arms in the cases by the walls.
"Gee, here's a good one," said Bill. "It's a musket that used to belong to old Count Frontenac. What do you think of that?"
"Who was Fronty?" asked Pud.
"Count Frontenac was one of the greatest governors that Canada ever had in the time of the French regime."
"He was a great man, as our forefathers found out in the time of the French and Indian wars," said Bob. "There are so many stories told, showing what a wonderful man he was. It's like a touch of the past to look at a gun that such a famous man once used."
"That's all right," said Pud, "but it don't help us any in getting out of here."
"Don't get impatient," said Bob. "It will take some time to look up the various things about us."
"That's so, but it's commencing to get dark and I'm getting hungry," said Pud.
"I thought so," said Bob. "I thought it had something to do with your stomach."
"It's too bad that I got into this," said Bill.
"Cut it out, Bill," said