The Forge in the Forest

Blac

when I heard the order to stand Marc up against a tree my veins for an instant turned to ice. Many men-and some women, too, God help me, I then being bound and gagged,-had I seen thus stood up against a tr

are the victims of some serious mistake, for which you will, I am sure,

wiftly as if propelled by an energy irresistible, now languid with an affectation of indolence. But the face-I hated the possessor of it with a personal hate the moment my eyes fell upon that face. Strong and inflexible was the gaunt, broad, and thin jaw, c

ieur de Briart, believe me

e fair words, of cour

rvy rogue, and you shall yet be on your knees to me for this outrage

k on something of the

a good servant to France; and for your late disrespect to Holy Church, in my person, while

fficient rather than wholes

e is a spy. You understand how spies fare, Monsieur!" And a malignant light made

e flush thickly under

d!" he cried, careless of the

Abbé never l

a tone of high civility. "He has long been fouling with his slanders the names of those whom he should reverence, an

t was but dimly I heard his voice, ringing with indignation

he Church," he cried in defiance. "There can be no proof that I am a spy, even as there can

ke, and even in my fear my heart felt proud of it. The pri

keeping his eyes on my face, "Monsieur de Ramezay shall judge whe

d it seemed to me, the Indians lo

a firm voice, and turned upon

ed to him. "I will be there, a

loose your bonds. Then, by all means, come over and see Monsieur de Ramezay at Chignecto. I may not be there then mys

d band, and I, shaking in my impote

to any harm, these hands will visit it upon you

rd, and left me a twisted heap upon the turf, gna