George Manville Fenn

“ It was none too soon, for a body of soldiers were coming at the double from the direction of the town, and with a cry of rage the boy whispered through 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 the shelter of fence and hedge, they made for a patch of woodland, which hid them from the Captain’s pursuers. ”

“ The sun was high when Phil woke next morning, to find the weary Doctor sleeping still; but he started up at a touch, and hearing them about, their hostess came and tapped at the door to say that breakfast was ready, and later on when they stepped out she looked sadly at them, for she had news.
“I woke at daylight,” she said. “There were guns firing, and the fighting has been going on ever since. Quick! Come and eat your breakfast and go. It is not safe for that little fellow to be staying here.” ”

“ But he forced 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 on water! Let’s get there and rest and bathe our feet; and then what do you 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 my hand; or, look here, Phil, what do you say to a pig-a-back?” ”

“ And then that happy day dawned when he sat in the baggage waggon watching the powder-blackened soldiers urging on the horses drawing the heavy guns, followed by a mud-stained tattered regiment, which stepped out smartly, every man looking ready and willing to commence the attack to which he was bound. These passed on and another regiment followed, the sight of the brave fellows sending a thrill through the boy, making him lean out from beneath the waggon tilt to take off his cap and cry hurrah. ”

“ She uttered a sob, and the tears that ran down her cheeks remained on Phil’s face as he raised his lips to hers. The next minute she was running in and out amongst the trees back towards the farm, leaving Phil’s eyes wet as well, as he stood looking after her till she was out of sight.
“Come, boy,” said the Doctor, huskily, “drink—drink heartily. Let me open the basket. What is in it! Hot bread-cakes. She must have been up early to have made these. Come, Phil, boy; be brave. We must meet with sharp stones in every path; but there are flowers too. Drink and eat. ”

“ Sometimes we shall be thirsty.”
“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 the fir 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 prick when we undress?”
“But we shan’t undress, my boy.”
“What fun! Father will laugh when I tell him by and by. But you don’t say a word about what we are to eat, Dr Martin?” ”

“ There was a tent or two as well where the surgeons worked at their terrible task, and it happened towards the height of the terrible conflict, when the British soldiers were struggling and gaining their way step by step, every foot being desperately contested by the brave army of the French General Montcalm, that Phil was busy in a wide sheltered spot beneath the enemy’s lines, tin cup in one hand, holding on to the iron handle of a bucket with the other, the bucket pretty full of water, and swinging between him and a drummer boy. ”

“ 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 gruff good nature, and he went off, leaving the other prisoners to stare gloomily at the new-comers for a few minutes and then turn their backs to begin talking together, while the Doctor pressed close to his charge and tried to cheer him up.
“It will all come right,” he whispered. “We shall soon be able to send a message to the Captain, and he will have us sent safely away. Are you very hungry now, Phil?” ”

“ The Doctor spoke like a Frenchman, and said dere.
“Ah,” he continued, reaching out his hand and drawing out the paper. “I see, 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 of soldiers. 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 the Doctor, with a sigh.
“Yes,” cried the boy, eagerly. “Is he coming to see me, Dr Martin?” ”

“ 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 the wanderers were gazing excitedly at a ruddy-cheeked girl, who stood before 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 the English. He wants to go and fight them. Here, boy, bread and milk. Take them, and go right away. ”

“ We must not let the soldiers take us.”
“Of course not; but, I say, Dr Martin, I don’t think I understand it a bit. Why are the French and English going to fight?”
“I’m afraid it is because they consider themselves natural enemies, my boy. Your people have a great part of North America and my people have Canada. War has been declared, and King George’s soldiers have come to take Canada from the French King.”
“And that means fighting, of course,” said Phil. ”

“ Yes, I shall like that. They are always so thirsty. May I take them some water to drink?”
“Indeed you shall, Phil.”
Their journey was not long, but it was difficult, for the little army was advancing, and the old Doctor and his pupil were hardly settled in their new canvas and waggon quarters before the attack was in full progress and the bearers were coming in with the wounded, the dying, and, those whom the doctors pronounced already dead. ”

“ 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 very anxious. I am hoping every day to obtain some news from your father—a letter or a message, to tell me what to do. ”

“ As he spoke there was the report of a musket, followed by a scattered series of shots.
“What’s that?” whispered Phil, excitedly. “I know; but they can’t hit father, 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 was not large, and before long they had reached the farther side and stopped short to crouch down among the bushes, fearing to go out in the open country. ”