A Young Hero, by G Manville Fenn. ________________________________________________________________________ This is a prettily produced little book. It's not very long and doesn'thave anything like the usual Manville Fenn subtle plot. The plot itself consists of an opening scene in which Doctor Martin, amost learned gentleman, is teaching Phil, the hero, his Latin. Phil isperhaps eight or none years of age, not older then that, Dr Martin isFrench, while Phil is English. It is a time in Canada in which war is about to break out between theEnglish, who have colonised most of North America, and the French, whohave occupied most of Canada. All of a sudden Phil's father, an officerwith the English forces, appears, and requests that Dr Martin shouldabandon his house, and all his books and papers, and take the boy Philto him in the English lines. I should say this is a pretty ridiculousidea, but the poor old Doctor did just as he was told, thereby sufferingmany days of privation, and insult from the farmers whose land theypassed through. Eventually they arrive near the English lines, wherethey are arrested as possible spies. After a few weeks Phil's father appears, but at that point there is abattle, in which General Wolfe dies, being brought draughts of water inhis dying hour by the young hero, Phil. To be frank I am surprised that George Manville Fenn wrote this book, asit could only serve to water down his reputation. But it may have beenan early work, or possibly one aimed at a different market than hisusual teenager one. There are other similarly produced books by him, soit may have been a fancy idea by the publisher, to produce some sort ofa pseudo-historical series. ________________________________________________________________________ A YOUNG HERO, BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN. CHAPTER ONE. Dr Martin wore a close-fitting black silk cap. Why? Well, the answer to the old riddle, "Why does a miller wear a whitehat?" is, "To keep his head warm. " That answer would do for a reply to the question why this grey, anxious-looking Dr Martin wore a close-fitting black silk cap as he satporing over an old book opposite Phil Carleton, who also bent over abook; but he was not reading, for he had a pencil in his fingers and asheet of paper covering one page, upon which sheet he was making notes. Not a single one, for Phil was not far enough advanced for such work asthat. He was drawing, after a fashion, and very busily, when the oldDoctor, his tutor, suddenly looked up. "Now, my dear boy, " he said, "can you say that declension?" Phil started and shut up the book suddenly, turning very red the while. "Don't you know it yet?" said the Doctor, gravely. The boy shook his head and looked terribly confused. "Then you cannot have been studying it. What have you there?" The Doctor spoke like a Frenchman, and said _dere_. "Ah, " he continued, reaching out his hand and drawing out the paper. "Isee, drawing-soldiers, eh?" Phil nodded. "Vairy fonnee soldiers, my boy. I should not know but for this sword. And is this a gun?" Phil nodded again. "Ah, " said the old French-Canadian, "it is a pity you think so much ofsoldiers. You should learn your lesson. " "I'm going to be a soldier--some day, " said Phil. "Ah, yes, some day. Like my dear old friend, your father, " said theDoctor, with a sigh. "Yes, " cried the boy, eagerly. "Is he coming to see me, Dr Martin?" "Why do you ask? Are you not happy here?" "Not very, " said the boy, sadly. "Ah, I am sorry. What is the reason? There, speak out. " The boy hesitated for a few moments, and then burst out with, "It'sbecause of the Latin, and what Pierre said. " "Ah, the Latin is hard, my child; but if you work hard it will groweasy. But tell me; what does Pierre say?" "He says the French are going to fight the English and drive them out ofthe country, and my father is sure to be killed. " "Pierre is a bad, cruel boy to speak to you like that. He deserves thestick. " "Then there is not going to be any fighting, Dr Martin?" The old man shook his head. "I am afraid, " he said, sadly. "Perhaps you ought to know, my child. The English troops are advancing against the city yonder, and I am veryanxious. I am hoping every day to obtain some news from your father--aletter or a message, to tell me what to do. It is unfortunate that weshould be staying here among my people and war to begin. " "Then there is going to be fighting?" cried the boy. "I fear so, my boy. " "Then I know. " "You know what, Phil?" "My father will come and fetch me. " The old man shook his head. "He is with his regiment, my child, and could not come away. " The old man stopped short, for the door was suddenly thrown open, and abig, heavy-looking boy of seventeen or eighteen came hurriedly in. "Some one wants you, Uncle Martin, " he cried. "Yes, quite right, " came in a sharp, short, military tone. "That willdo, my young friend. Thanks. " The speaker, a tall bronzed personage in plain clothes, strode into theroom, held the door open, and signed to the big lad to pass out, whichhe did slowly and unwillingly, but not before he had heard Phil utterthe one word, "Father!" as he sprang forward to fling his arms round thevisitor's waist. "My boy!" was the response. Then to the Doctor, "That's unlucky! Butthat boy does not understand English?" The Doctor shook his head. "I am afraid he does, quite well enough to grasp who you are. " "Tut! tut! tut!" ejaculated the visitor. "But tell me; are there anytroops near here?" "Many, a few miles away, " said the Doctor. "But he is not likely to go and tell them that there is an Englishmanhere?" "I hope not. Oh, no; I will see that he does not. Then there is riskin your coming here, my friend?" "I'm afraid so; but I was obliged to come, Martin. " "But, father, why have you not come in your uniform?" "Quiet, boy, " was the reply; "I have no time to explain. Look here, Martin, old friend; when I agreed that Phil here should come on thislong visit with you I had no idea that matters would turn out like this. But there is no time to waste. You must get out of the country as fastas you can. " "With your son?" "Of course. Get south, beyond the English lines. You understand?" "Yes. Quite. " "Then now get me something; bread and meat or bread and water--I amnearly starved. " "You'll have dinner with us, father?" cried Phil. "No, my boy; I must be off at once. " "Oh, father, take me with you, " cried Phil, piteously. "I cannot, my boy. I must get back to my regiment, and at once. " "So soon?" said the old Doctor, sadly. "Yes, so soon. If it got about that I was here I should be seized andshot for a spy. " "Father!" cried Phil, clinging to him. "But I am not going to be caught, nor shot neither, my boy, " cried theCaptain, raising him on a chair so that they stood face to face. "And you'll take me with you, father?" "Impossible, boy. Come, be a man. You shall join me soon, but I cannottake you with me. Dr Martin will bring you. " "But, father--" "Phil, what have I always taught you?" cried the Captain. "To--to--be obedient. " "That's right. Now, do you want to help me?" "Yes, father. So much. " "Then listen to all I say. Now, Doctor, " continued the Captain, "I haveventured into the enemy's camp--not as a spy, but to see you and my boy. I dare not stay ten minutes before I hurry back to join our people. " "Then the English forces are near?" said the old Doctor, excitedly. "That is not for you to know or question me upon. It is enough if Itell you that this is no place for my son, and if things go against usyou will take him back to England. You promise that?" "I have promised it, Carleton. I have all your old instructions, andcome what may I will deliver him safely into the hands of your relativesand friends. " "I am satisfied, Doctor, " said the Captain, huskily, "and I shall goback to my regiment in peace. Now then, the bread and meat I askedfor--quick! And you will see that the lad who showed me in does notleave the place till I have been an hour upon my road? I must have thatstart, for my poor horse is pretty well done up. " The Doctor made no reply, but hurried out of the room, leaving fatherand son together, when the Captain laid his hands upon his son'sshoulders. "That was all very brave and well done, my boy, " he said. "Now I amgoing away quite at rest about you, for I know that you will do as youhave promised. " "Yes, father. But--" "But what, Phil?" "Oh, do, pray--pray, take me with you!" Captain Carleton winced, and his hands tightened upon the boy'sshoulders, while his voice sounded husky as he spoke. "Phil, " he said, "do you know what I am?" "Yes, a soldier; one of the King's captains, father. " "Right, boy; and didn't I tell you that a soldier must always do hisduty?" "Yes, father. " "And that boys must always do theirs? Well, sir, the King says I mustmarch with the army at once, and I say you must do your duty too. " "Yes, father, " said Phil, in a choking voice, "and I will. " "Spoken like a man. " At that moment the door was re-opened hurriedly. "Ah, Martin, " cried the Captain, sharply, "you have bad news?" "Yes--that lad Pierre has gone across the fields towards the town. " "Where the French soldiers are stationed?" "Yes. " "Then I have no time to lose. The bread--the meat!" "I--I--" faltered the old man. "Thought only of my safety, " said the Captain. "Here, stop! Phil!Where are you going?" But the boy dashed through the open door, which swung to behind him. "Call him back, " cried the Captain, excitedly. "I must say good-bye, for we may never meet again. Stop; I am weak enough without that. Iought not to have come. Martin, old friend, remember. I trust you, andif fate makes him an orphan--" "You have known me all these years, Carleton, and I have grown to lovehim as if he was my own. Trust me still, and--" There was a quick footstep, the door was kicked open, and Phil rushedin, panting and flushed, with a large loaf under one arm and a basket inhis hand, out of which the crisp brown legs of a roast chicken weresticking. "Here, father!" he cried. "Bravo! Good forager, " cried the Captain, snatching the provisions fromthe boy to throw on the table before clasping Phil to his breast in onequick, tight embrace. The next minute he had thrust the little fellow into the Doctor's arms. "Remember!" he cried aloud, and catching up basket and loaf, he boundedout of the open window and ran across the garden to the yard, where hehad left his horse tethered to a post. It seemed directly after that Phil was standing on the window-sillwaving his hand and shouting, "Good-bye--good-bye, father!" But his words were not heard by the Captain, who was urging his tiredhorse into a gallop. It was none too soon, for a body of soldiers were coming at the doublefrom the direction of the town, and with a cry of rage the boy whisperedthrough his teeth: "Look, there's Pierre running to show them the way!" "Hush! Quick, Phil; we must go. " "After father?" cried the boy, joyously. "No; we must make for the woods. " The old man hurried out by the back door, and then keeping under theshelter of fence and hedge, they made for a patch of woodland, which hidthem from the Captain's pursuers. "Let's wait here for a few moments to get breath, " panted the old man. As he spoke there was the report of a musket, followed by a scatteredseries of shots. "What's that?" whispered Phil, excitedly. "I know; but they can't hitfather, he's riding away too fast. Do you think they'll shoot after us?I wish I had a gun. " "Why?" said the Doctor, smiling. "Because I feel as if I should like to shoot at Pierre. " CHAPTER TWO. The patch of woodland in which Dr Martin and his pupil were hiding wasnot large, and before long they had reached the farther side and stoppedshort to crouch down among the bushes, fearing to go out in the opencountry. "They'd see us directly, " said Phil. "There's another shot. I say, doesn't that show the soldiers haven't been able to hit my father?" "Of course, " said the Doctor, cheerfully; and then after listening whilethe firing kept on, sounding more and more distant till it stoppedaltogether, he held his breath in dread lest the boy should notice thisand ask him whether the silence might mean that the French soldiers hadat last hit either man or horse. But to the old man's great relief Philtook the silence to mean that the Captain had escaped, and was in a highstate of excitement and showed his delight. "They'll come after us now, " he said, "but I don't care now father hasgot away. " "Then you wouldn't mind being taken a prisoner, Phil?" said the Doctor. "Oh, yes, I should. It would be dreadful for you. " "And for you, my boy. " "Oh, I don't think I should mind much, Dr Martin. It would be good funtoo. " "Good fun?" "Yes, " said the boy, with a merry grin upon his frank young face. "Weshould have no books, and there'd be no lessons. " "I could teach you without books, Phil, " said the Doctor, gravely. "Yes, I forgot that, " said the boy. "Oh, what a lot you know!" "Very little, my dear boy; but we cannot think about lessons now--wehave to escape. We must not let the soldiers take us. " "Of course not; but, I say, Dr Martin, I don't think I understand it abit. Why are the French and English going to fight?" "I'm afraid it is because they consider themselves natural enemies, myboy. Your people have a great part of North America and my people haveCanada. War has been declared, and King George's soldiers have come totake Canada from the French King. " "And that means fighting, of course, " said Phil. "My father has comewith his men to fight against the Marquis--Marquis--What did you say hisname is?" "Montcalm. The Marquis de Montcalm, " replied the Doctor, "who is atQuebec. " "And my father's men are going to take Quebec away from him for the Kingof England. " "Your father's leader is General Wolfe, " said the Doctor, smiling. "Oh, yes, I know--General Wolfe, " said Phil, eagerly. "But, I say, DrMartin, shan't we be able to go back to the house--I'm getting sohungry?" "No; I'm afraid we must not go back to the house again. " "But all our things are there. " "Yes, all our clothes, and my books. " "But what about dinner?" cried Phil. "Ah, to be sure, " said the old man, smiling, "what about dinner! Yousee, Phil, " he continued, as he looked about in all directions over theopen country, "your father said we were to get right away from thefighting, and after it was over he would come and join us. " "Yes, I know, " said the boy. "Well, we should have had to start to-night, or to-morrow, so it onlymeans that we have come away in a hurry and meet him all the sooner. " "To be sure, " said the boy, eagerly. "You won't mind going without your dinner?" "Of course not, " cried Phil, stoutly. "And if we have to sleep in a barn or shed somewhere to-night instead ofa comfortable bed, you won't mind that either, will you?" "Not a bit, " cried Phil. "Let's sleep in the forest, and cut downboughs and pick leaves for a bed. It would be fun. I should like it. " "To be sure you would. " "Wouldn't you, Dr Martin?" "That I should, my boy, " cried the Doctor, who was still eagerlysearching the fields and meadows broken up by patches of forest. "Lookhere, Phil; we want to get away, as your father wishes, from all thisterrible war, so we'll put all lessons aside and think of nothing butmaking this a holiday excursion amongst the fields and woods; and whenwe get tired we'll sit down on a tree trunk and rest, and if the sun istoo hot we will have a nap in the shade. Sometimes we shall bethirsty. " "And then we'll lie down on the bank of a river and drink, " cried Phil, clapping his hands. "To be sure--drink the beautiful clear water. We can sleep, too, in thefir woods. The soft fir needles make a beautiful aromatic bed. " "What's aromatic?" said Phil, with his eyes sparkling. "Sweet-scented and spicy. " "I shall like that, " cried the boy; "only won't the fir needles prickwhen we undress?" "But we shan't undress, my boy. " "What fun! Father will laugh when I tell him by and by. But you don'tsay a word about what we are to eat, Dr Martin?" "Oh, we shall find something to eat. Why, we might catch some fishperhaps in the streams. " "Yes, " cried Phil, excitedly. "And make a fire and bake them in the hot ashes. " "To be sure, " cried Phil, clapping his hands again. "Sometimes, too, we may be able to dig up a few potatoes. " "And roast them. " "Of course. You'll like making a fire. " "I shall, " cried the boy, with emphasis. "Then we can call at a farm sometimes and buy some bread and milk and--" "I say, Dr Martin, this _is_ going to be a holiday. Which way are wegoing?" "Straight away yonder, my boy--south, towards the British possessions. " "Make haste then. Take hold of my hand and let's run like father callsdouble. Let's get to that river we drove to in the car months ago. " "Yes, we might go that way, " said the Doctor, thoughtfully. "But whydid you choose that route?" "Because I want to catch some fish for dinner. " "Without hook or line?" "I shall go into the shallow, where we can see them, and splash them outwith my hands. " "To be sure, or perhaps spear one with a long, sharp stick. " "Yes, I'll try that. Oh, do let's go on at once. I want to begin. " "Very well, " said the Doctor, after a long, anxious look round. "You gofirst, and I'll follow. " "Let's walk fast, " said Phil. "Yes, let's walk fast, " replied the Doctor. And they started off along by the wood side, then by hedges and ditches, and on and on, keeping to the open country and avoiding every farm, Philtrudging away manfully, while whenever he showed his weariness, theDoctor picked out some beautiful flowery prairie, or the side of a pinewood, that they might rest. But the way was rough and long, and when Phil's enthusiasm had lastedtill far in the afternoon, the sun seemed to beat down hot, and the poorboy's feet dragged heavily, while much talking had made the Doctor'svoice sound husky, and a great thirst troubled both. "Getting tired, Phil?" The little fellow turned--his weary, troubled eyes towards hisquestioner, and was about to say, "Oh, so tired and so hungry!" But heforced himself to say: "Yes, just a little. " "Ah, and so am I, " said the old man, cheerily; "but look yonder!" "Soldiers!" cried Phil, excitedly. "No, no, no, my boy; we are free and safe, and out in the open country. I mean, look at that dark fir wood yonder, and the gleam of sunshine onwater! Let's get there and rest and bathe our feet; and then what doyou say to a nap?" "Shall we find the fish and make the fire, Dr Martin?" said the boy, anxiously. "I hope so, " was the reply. "Let's try. Come along. Hang on to myhand; or, look here, Phil, what do you say to a pig-a-back?" "Yes, " cried the little fellow, holding out his hands eagerly. "No, Iwon't. I'm not quite tired, and I'm getting so heavy now. It isn'tfar, is it?" "Not very, " said the Doctor, rather faintly, and they trudged on andreached a little stream, which cut its way through the sandy land justat the very edge of a pine wood, to sink at once upon the bank. There were no fish visible, but the clear water was delicious, and theydrank long and deeply, before bathing their weary and sore feet. "What fun!" cried Phil, reviving a little as he buried his feet in thesoft, warm, dry sand and let it trickle between his toes. But a cloud came over his face directly after, for it was many hourssince anything had passed his lips. There was abundance of dead woodlow down about the trunks of the fir-trees, but no flint and steel ortinder-box to obtain fire, and the evening was very near. The Doctor looked far and near, but no farmhouse or settlement was insight, and when after a long rest he proposed that they should make afresh start and Phil replaced his socks and shoes, he limped when hestood up, and in spite of a brave effort the tears would come to hiseyes. "Let's rest a little longer, " said the Doctor, tenderly, and he led theway a short distance into what proved to be a vast pine forest, wherethe needles that had fallen for ages lay in a thick dry bed. "Let's tryhere, " he said, as he raked a hollow beneath the great far-spreadingboughs, which were thick enough to form a shelter from any wind or rainthat might come. "Lie down, my boy, " said the old man, gently, and the little fellowglanced at him piteously and obeyed. "Oh, don't look at me so reproachfully, my child, " sighed the Doctor tohimself, as the weary boy's eyes looked large and dark in the shade; butonly for a few moments before they grew dull, and then the lids fell andhe was sleeping so soundly that he did not stir when the Doctor rakedthe soft sweet-scented pine needles round him till he lay as if it werein a nest. And only a few minutes after the Doctor had sunk lower and lower, drooping over his charge to keep watch, but only to leave that to thegreat bright stars which came out one by one, peering down among thepine boughs at the dark spot where the travellers, old and young, weresleeping soundly. CHAPTER THREE. Phil was the first to wake in the soft grey morning, to lie listening toa regular sharp tapping made by a busy woodpecker somewhere among theancient pines; and he wondered some time what it meant and where he was. But a soft deep breath close to his ear made him start round sosuddenly that he awoke Dr Martin, who started up looking as surprisedas his bed-fellow. "I couldn't recollect where I was, " said Phil, "Oh, I am so hungry. " "And no wonder, my poor boy. There, come and bathe your face with me, and at all costs we must get to some farmhouse and buy or beg ourbreakfast. " The bathing was soon at an end, and though disposed to limp a little, Phil stepped out bravely in the direction the Doctor chose, and withsuch good effect that before long the chimneys of a farmhouse were seen, for which they made at once. "Cows, " said Phil, eagerly, "and a man milking. " It was as the little fellow said, for half a dozen cows were dreamilymunching grass, while a sour-looking man was seated upon a stool. DrMartin walked up at once, the man being so intent upon the milking thathe did not raise his head till the Doctor spoke, when he started soviolently that he nearly overset the pail. "Who are you? What is it?" he cried. "We are travellers, and hungry, " replied the Doctor, in French. "Willyou sell us some--" He got no farther. "Here, I know you, sir. You are the English spy, old Martin's friend, who came to live with him, and that is the boy. I know you and what youhave done. You have brought the English here to take the place. " "Indeed you wrong me, sir, " cried the Doctor, humbly. "It is amistake. " "A mistake, " cried the man, furiously. "You'll soon find out that itis, for you and the English cub. Our soldiers were here looking for youlast night. I know where they are now. " "I cannot help it, " said the Doctor, sadly. "The poor boy is starving;he has eaten nothing since breakfast yesterday. I will pay you well, sir, for all you sell me. " "I sell to a spy? Never a bit nor a drop. " He shouted his words in the Canadian-French _patois_, opening a bigknife in a threatening manner. "Indeed you are mistaken, sir. Pray sell us bread and milk, for thepoor boy's sake. He is starving. " "Let him starve in prison then. Off with you--off!" He advanced upon them with so fierce a gesture that the Doctor caughtPhil's arm, thrust him behind so as to screen him from danger, and thenbacked away. "My poor boy, " he groaned, pressing Phil closer to him. "It is likebeing in an enemy's land--and one of my own countrymen too. " "He must be a friend of Pierre, " said Phil. "Oh, Dr Martin, this isnot like a holiday. What shall we do?" "Pray, boy, that all Frenchmen are not so stony-hearted. There, there, be brave; we shall find others yet who will not treat you so, and--" "Hist!--Stop!" came from a clump of trees on their right. "Who spoke?" said Phil, with a wondering look. "I. Come here, out of sight of the house, " and the next minute thewanderers were gazing excitedly at a ruddy-cheeked girl, who stoodbefore them with a big jug in one hand, a basket in the other. "Who are you?" said the Doctor, eagerly. "His girl, " was the hurried reply. "Father is so angry with theEnglish. He wants to go and fight them. Here, boy, bread and milk. Take them, and go right away. Father must not know. He would beat me. " "Bless you for your goodness, " cried the Doctor, with the tears risingto his eyes. "It was not for you, " said the girl, angrily. "I hate you for bringingthe English here. It was for him. I could not bear to see him hungryand in want. I could not have eaten my own breakfast if I had. Willyou kiss me, dear?" she said, softly, as she bent down, and thrust thebasket and pitcher in Phil's hands. "I had a little brother once solike you. He is dead though, and--" She uttered a sob, and the tears that ran down her cheeks remained onPhil's face as he raised his lips to hers. The next minute she wasrunning in and out amongst the trees back towards the farm, leavingPhil's eyes wet as well, as he stood looking after her till she was outof sight. "Come, boy, " said the Doctor, huskily, "drink--drink heartily. Let meopen the basket. What is in it! Hot bread-cakes. She must have beenup early to have made these. Come, Phil, boy; be brave. We must meetwith sharp stones in every path; but there are flowers too. Drink andeat. It is going to be a grand holiday after all. " CHAPTER FOUR. There were more sharp stones in their way that day than flowers. TheDoctor and his charge tramped steadily on that morning, till in thedistance they suddenly saw stretched out before them a long line ofsomething which kept on glittering in the sunlight. "Soldiers, " cried Phil, excitedly. "I know. I can see the bayonets ontheir guns. It must be my father's men. " "In blue coats, Phil?" said the Doctor, sadly. The boy was silent for a few moments, as he stood with his brow knit, before saying slowly: "No; their coats are red, and they have white leggings. " There was nothing for it but to turn back and then strike off in anotherdirection, which they followed till evening, when the bread was eaten, the milk having been finished at noon, and the basket and pitcher placedtogether in a tree. "I should like to come and find them again some day and take them backto her, " said Phil. "We may come here again, mayn't we?" "Perhaps, " said the Doctor, with a sigh; and then, "Phil, my child, areyou very, very tired?" "Not so tired as I was last night. Why do you ask?" "Because we must not sleep in a wood to-night; we must walk on till wecome to some farm and ask for a lodging there. " "No, no, " cried the boy, quickly, "the man will drive us away. I wouldrather sleep under the trees. " "We must risk being driven away, boy. " And just at dusk, where all wasstrange to them both, they approached another lonely cottage-like place, with barn and sheds and cattle near, Phil shrinking but taking heart ashe found that a woman was the only person in sight. "Who are you? What do you want?" she said, scanning them suspiciously. "Travellers, " replied the Doctor, "trying to get where there is no war. " "Ah!" cried the woman, quickly. "Yes. It is too dreadful; and you withthat brave little man tramping like that. Soldiers--hundreds, thousands, have been by here to-day. " "French or English?" cried Phil, excitedly. "I could not tell, " said the woman, smiling, and patting the littlefellow's cheek. "Yours?" she added, to the Doctor, "or are you hisgrandfather?" "No; he is my little pupil. I am his teacher. " "And you are going away from the war because of him?" "Yes, " said the Doctor, simply. "Will you give us a bed to sleep in, orclean straw in one of your sheds, with supper? I will pay you. " "Pay me!" said the woman, angrily. "What would my good man say if Itook money for doing that?" "Your husband?" "Yes; he had to leave me to go and fight. " Phil drew a deep breath, for the woman's words seemed to go through him. She spoke in French, and he expected that she would look upon themdirectly as enemies and drive them from the door. The next minute hefelt that the time had come, for she turned to him and said: "But you do not speak like one of us, little one. You are not French?" Phil drew himself up, and his face looked white and then flushed deeplyred, as he gazed bravely in the woman's face, the Doctor watching himthe while with his forehead wrinkled, as if he had grown ten years olderas he stood. "What will my pupil say?" he muttered to himself. It was bravely spoken. "No, I am English, " he said. "Ah!" said the woman, softly. "Why are you here? Who are your people--your father?" It was hard, but Phil felt that he must speak out; and he did itbravely, suffering agony as soon as he had spoken, for the woman lookedat him in silence. A few minutes later Phil was sitting back watching the woman blowing upthe fire to heat some of the evening's milk and fry fresh eggs for hervisitors, joining them in a hearty meal and laughing, too, the end, asafter struggling hard to keep his eyes open, Phil let his head sinkslowly down upon the table--fast asleep, too much worn out to feel whenthe Doctor lifted him out to follow their hostess into the next room, where a clean bed was given up to them. For when the Doctor declinedand said he was sure it was the woman's, she told him it was her own andthat she would do with it as she pleased. CHAPTER FIVE. The sun was high when Phil woke next morning, to find the weary Doctorsleeping still; but he started up at a touch, and hearing them about, their hostess came and tapped at the door to say that breakfast wasready, and later on when they stepped out she looked sadly at them, forshe had news. "I woke at daylight, " she said. "There were guns firing, and thefighting has been going on ever since. Quick! Come and eat yourbreakfast and go. It is not safe for that little fellow to be stayinghere. " Phil had no appetite to finish that breakfast. Before it was half donehe had started to his feet, to run to the door, full of dread for hisfather, for one after the other came the reports of heavy guns in thedistance, and from much nearer the rattle of musketry, telling thatinstead of leaving the terrible encounters far behind, either they hadmarched right amongst it or the opposing armies had suddenly turned intheir direction. There was no time to waste. The Doctor pressed money upon their kindhostess, but she refused it angrily, and hurried them from the house. "Go that way!" she said, pointing towards where the sky looked light andclear, for away behind the house clouds were rising like to those in astorm; but they were clouds of smoke slowly gathering above a city milesaway, and the gloom increased. But Phil's hostess had not let him go away empty-handed. "You'll want something to eat by and by, " she said, and then the littlefellow looked at her wonderingly, her parting word sounded to hisEnglish ears so strange, for she said "adieu" and not "good-bye. " "Walk fast, boy, " said the Doctor, almost harshly; "we must rest by andby. " They hurried on for quite two hours, and then, hot and weary, the oldman suffering as hardly as the boy, they slackened their pace, and oncemore making for a patch of woodland, rested for a while in the shade. But not for long. "I can't hear the guns now, " whispered Phil, after a long silence. "No, " said the Doctor, "I have not heard a sound for quitehalf-an-hour. " "But where are we going now?" The Doctor smiled sadly and shook his head. "Where fate leads us, Phil, " he said; "anywhere to be out of thisterrible work. " He had hardly spoken before the crash of many guns made them start totheir feet, Phil beginning to run out in the open in his sudden alarm, but only to turn back directly and catch at the Doctor's hand. "Ah!" cried the old man, drawing him in amongst the trees; "that wasrunning into fresh danger. Look!" Phil was already looking at a line of men who seemed to have suddenlystarted out of the ground a hundred yards away. At the same moment the Doctor threw himself down amongst the thickgrowth, dragging his companion with him. "Lie close, " he whispered, and it was well that they were both lyingflat, for there was a flash of light, a long line of smoke, and inresponse to a sharp pattering sound a little shower of twigs and leavescame dropping around. This was answered by firing evidently from the other side of the woodagain and again, the reports each time sounding more and more distant, while as Phil lay flat upon his face he could hear trampling and thesounds of men hurrying among the trees right past them, two coming sonear that the boy wondered that they were not seen. "Don't speak, my boy, " whispered the Doctor, as he held Phil's hand, though the words were not needed, for the boy's attention was so takenup by the exciting events that surrounded him that he was all eyes andears for the next thing that should happen. For the soldiers that passed on, firing as they went, seemed to receivea check, and were driven back, filling the wood with smoke, which hunglow and seemed to cling to the lower branches of the trees. But the menrecovered their ground and passed on once more, the firing growing moredistant. "Now, " said the Doctor, at last, "let's try again, boy. " A sharp volley from another direction was followed by the pattering downof more twigs and leaves, and the Doctor uttered a groan and laid hishand upon Phil's head to press it closer to the ground. "Are you hurt, Dr Martin?" whispered the boy, raising himself suddenlyin the fear that he now felt for the first time. "No, no, my child. Lie still. We must not stir yet. " It was not till nightfall that they could venture to leave the wood, andit was by guesswork, for the stars were clouded over, that the Doctormade for what he believed to be the south, but not to go far in thedarkness, on account of the twinkling fires which shone out here andthere as if all around them. That night they slept in another pinewood, to keep on starting up from time to time during the night, awakened now by a shot, and twice over by the sound of a bugle, whichcame from the direction of the watch fires. There was no further engagement during the next day, but every attemptto get out of the wood in which they sheltered was in vain; for theywere surrounded by the troops dotted here and there, as if watching forthe next attack. They had not come away empty-handed, but the food given to them by theirFrench hostess had come to an end, and at a word from the Doctor, asevening fell, Phil sprang to his feet. "Yes, " he cried, "they won't see us now. Oh, how I wish I wasdifferent, Dr Martin! But I can't help it. " "Different?" said the old man, pressing his shoulder. "In what way?Why?" "I keep on getting so hungry and wanting to eat, when I know I ought tobe patient and wait. " "Poor boy, " said the Doctor, with a little laugh. "How strange that youshould be perfectly natural, Phil, eh? There, we'll make a brave effortto get right away now, and perhaps we shall find another French friendwhose husband is away in the fight. " "And then we could sleep in a bed once more, " said Phil after a longsilence, during which they had been pressing on, with the bushes throughwhich they passed rustling loudly. "Yes, after a splendid supper, " replied the Doctor, in French. "Oui!" cried Phil, joyously, and then his heart seemed to stand still, for from just in front, where all looked dark, there was the rattle ofmuskets and a voice shouted in plain English: "Halt! Who goes there?" CHAPTER SIX. "Stop! For pity's sake, " cried the Doctor. "Don't fire!" There was a rush and they were surrounded. Phil was seized roughly bytwo soldiers, while two more dragged the Doctor to his knees. "I've got a monster, sergeant, " cried one of the men. "Hold still, youwriggling little worm. " "Let me go, " cried Phil, angrily. "Now then, who are you?" cried a harsh voice out of the darkness. "Spies from the French camp, sergeant; that's certain, " said anothervoice. "Silence in the ranks!" roared the sergeant. "Now then, sir, what areyou?" "Travellers going south to escape from the war, " said the Doctor, huskily. "Won't do, " said the sergeant. "Bad attempt at English. Why, you werespeaking in French just now. " "Yes; I am a French teacher--the tutor to my little pupil here, the sonof an English officer. " "Bah!" cried the sergeant. "What a lame tale. You talked French orsome other lingo, and I heard the boy say `Oui!'" "Yes, sir; we talk in French sometimes so that the boy may learn. " "Oh, indeed! Well, you're prisoners now, and he shall be taught tospeak English. Bring them along. " "Pardon, sir. You belong to the English force?" "I rather think we do, mounseer. Search them, my lads. No, wait tillwe get them to headquarters. What papers have you?" "Papers, sir?" "Yes, despatches. Letters. " "Only my pocket-book, " said the Doctor. "Got it, sergeant, " said one of the men. "Nothing else?" "No, sergeant; not that I can find. " "Perhaps they're hidden upon the boy. Like enough. " Phil soon found that it was vain to resist, and he had to suffer beingroughly searched. "Eh? What's that?" said the sergeant. "Says he wants to be taken to his father. " "Yes, I want to go to my father, to tell him Dr Martin has been takenprisoner by English soldiers. " "Then you can't go, " growled the sergeant. "Here, who is your father, young shaver?" "Captain Carleton, of the 200th Regiment, sir, " said Phil, stoutly. "The 200th Regiment, eh? I don't know any Captain Carleton. But bringthem along. " The prisoners were marched off at once through the darkness towardswhere the fires were burning brightly, and after being challenged againand again, the sergeant led them to the front of a tent, out of which acouple of officers, evidently high in command, came quickly, and wereabout to hurry away, but stopped for a few moments to listen to thesergeant's report. "You are sure they have no despatch upon them?" "Certain, sir. They have been searched twice. " "Let them be detained, " said the officer, sharply. The sergeant marched them off to a large tent, and into this the twoprisoners were ushered, to find themselves in company with some half adozen French soldiers, one of whom lay wounded and in pain upon a trussof straw at the side, the dim light from a lanthorn swinging from thetent pole striking strangely upon the man's pallid face. "There you are, " said the sergeant, cheerfully, "and I just give youboth warning; there are about a dozen men on duty about this tent withorders to shoot down anyone who tries to escape. Eh, what say?" "We shall not try to escape; sir, " said the Doctor, quietly; "but thatboy--he has been tramping about for hours without food, and is nearlystarved. " "Eh? Poor little chap! Hungry?" "Yes, sir, dreadfully, and so is Dr Martin. " "Well, we English don't starve our prisoners, even if they are French. Wait a bit and I'll see what I can do, " said the sergeant, with gruffgood nature, and he went off, leaving the other prisoners to staregloomily at the new-comers for a few minutes and then turn their backsto begin talking together, while the Doctor pressed close to his chargeand tried to cheer him up. "It will all come right, " he whispered. "We shall soon be able to senda message to the Captain, and he will have us sent safely away. Are youvery hungry now, Phil?" "Dreadfully, " was the reply. "Do you think the sergeant will be verylong?" "Oh no! He seemed too friendly. " But the sergeant seemed to Phil as if he had forgotten all about theprisoners, for the time glided slowly on, while weariness began todeaden poor Phil's hunger pains, and he grew drowsy, nodding off twice, but starting up again when the French prisoners spoke more loudly or asharp challenge was heard outside. But the sergeant was a man of his word, and just as Phil was dozing offagain, and the lanthorn seemed to be dying out, he suddenly entered thetent with a loaf under his arm and a piece of cold boiled bacon and aknife. "There you are, " he said, gruffly, "and a nice job I've had to get it. Eat away, youngster, and thank your stars you haven't swallowed musketballs for sugar-plums as you came here. You ought to be ashamed ofyourself, old man, " he continued, turning to the Doctor, "for bringing aboy like that amongst all this gunpowder, treason and plot. No, no; Idon't want to hear you talk. Eat your supper. I've something else todo. " Dr Martin sighed as the sergeant swung out of the tent. "Wait till father comes, " said Phil, "and I'll tell him all that thesergeant said. I suppose he can't help being so stupid as to think weare spies and wanted to come here. " CHAPTER SEVEN. It was not till weeks had passed, during which Phil and Dr Martin wereshifted from place to place, always strictly guarded, their place beingin the misery and discomfort of the baggage train, that the day camewhen, dirty, ragged, and weary, Phil sat by the side of the Doctor inone of the waggons, watching the marching by of a strong detachment ofthe little brigade. Dr Martin had tried in vain to send messages, written and by word of mouth, to the Captain, but no one would act asbearer. Phil, too, had tried his best, but he could hear no news of his father, and there were times when he questioned the Doctor as to whether hethought he had failed to escape on that terrible day when Pierre gaveinformation to the French troops and the long-continued firing of thepursuers had been heard. And so it was for a time that when Phil wastired out after one of the weary marches and no rations were served out, his heart sank and the tears came to his eyes as he believed that heshould never see his father again. But, on the other hand, when the sunshone brightly and he was rested and refreshed by the rations that hadbeen served out, he chatted away cheerfully to the Doctor about how hewould tell all their adventures to the Captain when he came. And then that happy day dawned when he sat in the baggage waggonwatching the powder-blackened soldiers urging on the horses drawing theheavy guns, followed by a mud-stained tattered regiment, which steppedout smartly, every man looking ready and willing to commence the attackto which he was bound. These passed on and another regiment followed, the sight of the brave fellows sending a thrill through the boy, makinghim lean out from beneath the waggon tilt to take off his cap and cryhurrah. The sound of that bright shrill voice cheering the men on made them turnto look whence it came, and at the sight of the waving cap and itsexcited owner a laugh ran along the ranks and the men cheered again. The next minute, as the cheer died out and the regular throbbing beat, beat of five hundred marching men went on in regular pulsation, Philcaught sight of an officer riding at the rear of one of the companies, and his voice rang out shrill and clear: "Dr Martin, here he is at last! Father! Father! Stop!" The next minute he had leaped down from the side of the waggon and wasrunning towards the passing regiment, the men cheering madly withexcitement as they saw their newly-promoted Major draw rein, and thenext moment seize the little hands extended to him to be swung up on tothe saddle and then cling to the excited officer's neck. The cheerwhich had rung out before was as nothing to that which rose again andagain as the men saw the little fellow kissing the bearded and convulsedface of their leader as wildly as if there was not a soul in sight; butthose cheers drowned the Major's hoarsely-uttered words: "Oh, my boy! My boy! What are you doing here?" "I'm a prisoner, father. That sergeant wouldn't believe. But it's allright now. Oh, I am so glad!" "But Dr Martin?" "He's in that waggon, " cried Phil, giving his head a backward jerk, forhe was too much excited to look back. "He's a prisoner too because he'sFrench. Oh, I do like this. Let me ride here, father. May I hold thereins?" The Major was silent for a few moments, feeling quite taken aback by theboy's request. "May I, father--please?" "Yes, for a little while, " came the Major's hoarse words at last; "for alittle while, Phil, till I can pull myself together and think what todo. Forward, my lads!" he shouted, as he resumed his place, with themen cheering more wildly than ever as Phil rode with flushed face andsparkling eyes, in happy ignorance of the fact that he, a child inyears, was in the ranks of the regiment that a few hours later was tohead the advance in the great attack upon Quebec, in which the gallantBritish General who won Canada for the British Crown gloriously breathedhis last. CHAPTER EIGHT. "I wish all this fighting would finish, Dr Martin, " said Phil one day, with a sigh. "It seems very dreadful, and my father is always away. But, " he added, "it's very nice being near him. " "In the midst of all this horrible excitement?" "Yes; I don't mind that much, only seeing the poor men brought herewounded. I say, how they like me to go and talk to them when theirwounds have been tied up! Look here!" "What have you got there?" said the Doctor, as the boy pulled somethingfrom his breast. "Letter, " said Phil, shortly. "This makes six I'm to take care of andsend when we go away. " "Six letters?" "Yes; they're only written with pencil, and I don't remember the men nowwho gave them to me, but they were all wounded, and they said I was tosend them home. " "Poor fellows, " said the Doctor, with a sigh. "Yes, " said Phil. "I mean to show them to father some day and ask himto help me to send them. Ah! Here he is!" For at that minute the Major hurried into the tent. "Just to say good-bye to you, Phil, my boy. " "Oh, father, " cried the little fellow, with his face clouding over;"don't go away and leave me! You're always saying good-bye. " "Phil!" sternly. "I forgot, " cried the boy. "Yes. I know. You're going on duty. Butyou'll not be long, father?" "Not a minute longer than I can help, my boy. Now go. I want to speakto Dr Martin. " "Yes, father, " and Phil ran to the opening of the tent door. "You are not hurt?" cried Dr Martin, anxiously. "Not even scratched, Doctor, but the great moment is near, and I wasobliged to see my boy once more. I dare not send you both away, for itwould only be into the hands of the enemy--perhaps amongst their savagecamp followers. You have given up practising for years, but you are acertificated physician and surgeon, and the doctors here will receiveyou and my boy, glad of your help. While if matters go wrong with theGeneral in a desperate venture, you will be where the wounded are beingcollected, and the French will respect you. " "Yes, " said the Doctor. "Then you wish me to join the field hospital--when?" "As soon as I am gone. You understand?" "Yes. You may trust me. " "I know that. Heaven protect you both. Now I can feel at rest. Phil!" The boy dashed back, to spring upon his knee. "Now, quick, my boy, " cried the Major, kissing him. "Say good-bye likea soldier's son. " "Yes, father; but when--" "Phil!" "I know, father, " cried the boy, hastily drawing himself up. "Good-bye. So glad to see you back. " "I know, my boy. There, we've kissed as women do; now shake hands likea man. " Father and son stood for a few moments hand clasped in hand, and thenwithout trusting himself to look back, the Major walked quickly throughthe tent door, just as a heavy boom announced that a fresh attack wasnear. "Gone!" cried Phil, with a piteous cry and outstretched hands, but thenext moment he drew himself up stiffly and marched to the Doctor's side. "Bravely done, my boy, " cried the old man, patting his shoulder. "Nowthen, your cap. " "We're not going away?" cried Phil, in dismay. "Yes, directly. " "But father won't know where to find us again. " "Yes, he will, for he says we are to join the doctors with the woundedmen. " "Then he will know? Yes, I shall like that. They are always sothirsty. May I take them some water to drink?" "Indeed you shall, Phil. " Their journey was not long, but it was difficult, for the little armywas advancing, and the old Doctor and his pupil were hardly settled intheir new canvas and waggon quarters before the attack was in fullprogress and the bearers were coming in with the wounded, the dying, and, those whom the doctors pronounced already dead. It was a terrible time--hours of horror, during which, heedless of theroar of cannon and the crash of musketry, the busy surgeons toiled on, till the lines of bandaged sufferers lay increasing fast in the onecalm, comparatively silent spot at the back of the fortifications thatwere being attacked. There was a tent or two as well where the surgeons worked at theirterrible task, and it happened towards the height of the terribleconflict, when the British soldiers were struggling and gaining theirway step by step, every foot being desperately contested by the bravearmy of the French General Montcalm, that Phil was busy in a widesheltered spot beneath the enemy's lines, tin cup in one hand, holdingon to the iron handle of a bucket with the other, the bucket pretty fullof water, and swinging between him and a drummer boy. Those two went steadily on, to stop whenever a beseeching face wasturned to them. Then the pail was set down, Phil dipped the cup andwent down on one knee to hold it to some poor sufferer's lips, alwaysreceiving for his thanks the reverently uttered words, "God bless you, boy. " The blessings called down upon the little fellow's head came in hundredsthat day, in English and in French, and somehow in the excitement Phil, after the first few minutes, never saw the horrors by which he wassurrounded; but the boy noted only that hands were raised to him forwater, and he and the drummer filled and emptied that swinging bucketagain and again. It was during the height of the attack upon the fortifications that thebearers carried one who seemed to be an officer inside the surgeon'stent, and he was not carried out again, but laid up on a roughly-foldedwaggon-cloth, suffering and patient, for the surgeons could do no more. And from time to time an officer rushed up, to enter the tent, say a fewwords, receive a reply, and rush out again to hurry away into the smokewhere the soldiers were still fighting on. It happened, too, that with the bucket freshly filled from thewater-cart, Phil and his comrade had just reached the end of a line ofwounded men when one of the doctors came to the door of the tent, sawthem and shouted: "Here, boys! Water!" They trotted up together, entered the tent, and the next minute Phil wasdown on one knee holding the cup to the wounded officer's lips, while hedrank with avidity, draining the cup, and sighing deeply as he noted howyoung was the face of his attendant waiting to give him more. "Brave boy, " he said, gently, and he laid his hand upon Phil's arm; "butthis is no place for you. " At that moment the roar of battle outside seemed to roll towards theplace where the wounded man lay, increasing to a wild burst of cheers. A flash of excitement darted from the officer's eyes, and he tried torise upon one arm. "What's that?" he cried. "They run! They run!" came in answer from many throats. "Who run?" panted the wounded man. "The French, sir, " shouted an officer, hoarsely, as he dashed up to thewounded one's side. "_I thank God, and die contented_, " history says the General sighed. It was then that Phil, who had stood unnoticed by the bearer of thevictorious news, now kneeling by his great leader's side, pressedforward to touch his arm, making him start round and cry in hisastonishment: "Phil, my boy! You here!" For he realised that it was his little son who had just raised the watercup to the dying lips of the British hero--General Wolfe. As for Phil Carleton's career, little need be said, for the war was overwith the defeat of the French, and in a few weeks he and Dr Martin werein the same ship with the Major and his regiment, homeward bound.