Bob Hunt in Canada | Page 8

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 Bob. "I've really enjoyed myself so far, for when
you come to think of it, we're not in the slightest danger. At the worst,
we can call for aid on the American consul here and make him

straighten out the matter."
"That's so," said Pud. "I never thought of that."
"Of course, you didn't, you big puddenhead," said Bob. "At your time
of life, you have difficulty in thinking of anything but your stomach."
A little later, Captain Abercrombie came to the door. The boys rushed
over to hear what he had to say.
"I am instructed by Major-General Norris, the Commandant, to say to
you that he regrets the inconvenience to which you have been put. He
finds that the information given him is correct in every particular, and
he feels that there was no idea of spying on your part. At the same time,
he desires to recommend to all of you that in future, on going into a
fortress, whether here or elsewhere, that when given a card of
instructions, you read and act according to the same. He desires that
you be set at liberty at once and has a military carriage at the West Gate
to drive you to the Chateau. Private Watson, will you kindly see the
gentlemen to the West Gate, where you will find the carriage ready?
With your permission, I shall also accompany you as far as the
Commandant's office."
"Hurray," said Pud. "I knew it would be all right."
"I'm sorry to have put you to all this trouble, Captain," said Bill. "I'm
sure that I'll be more careful in the future."
"It was no bother. I am glad that you got off so easily. We have to be
careful here at all times, for this is, you know, the strongest fortress in
His Majesty's great Dominion, and its secrets must be guarded."
On arriving at the Commandant's office the captain left them, and it
was not long afterwards that they were sitting around a table at the
Chateau Frontenac, chatting and laughing and having a good feed, as
Pud expressed it.
"That experience of ours seems just like a dream to me," said Bob, as

the waiter left to get the dessert.
"It was no dream," said Pud. "If that old Major-General Norris had not
been such a thoroughbred, he might have given us a peck of trouble."
"Never again for me," said Bill. "If ever I go into a public place and
they give me directions, I'm going to listen and do what's ordered."
"What's doing to-night?" asked Pud, who was always looking for fun in
some form or other.
"Nothing much," replied Bob. "I understand that there's a band concert
by the Highland Regiment band on the Esplanade this evening. We can
listen to that for a while and then get to bed. We must be up early as the
boat leaves for Tadousac at seven o'clock to-morrow morning."
"I'll never make it," said Pud.
"You'll make it, all right," said Bob. "We're all sleeping in the same
room and I have a call in for five-thirty. That will give us time to get up
and have a decent breakfast before going."
The boys enjoyed the band concert after their dinner. On the
broad-walk on the river side of the Chateau, a large crowd gathered and
sauntered up and down listening to the excellent music. The scene was
interesting to the boys mainly because of the many kinds of military
dress that was sprinkled throughout the crowd. The military men gave a
touch of the Old World to