felt certain that the young Indian would be true to his word, and await
his coming at the appointed place of meeting when the moon rose above
the pine-tree tops.

As it would not rise until nearly ten o'clock that evening, and as his
uncle retired early on account of his indisposition, Réné was able to
bid him an affectionate good-night and receive his customary blessing
without arousing any suspicion of his intended departure in the breast
of the old soldier.

Leaving his own quarters about nine o'clock, with his cross-bow over
his shoulder, Réné walked with an unconcerned air, but with a beating
heart, directly to the main gate of the fort, at which he was
challenged by the sentinel on duty there. Réné gave the countersign,
and was recognized by the soldier, who, however, firmly refused to
allow him to pass.

He said, "I am sorry to be obliged to interrupt thy walk, Master De
Veaux; but since the escape of the Indian prisoner last night, we have
received strictest orders not to allow a living soul to pass the gates
between sunset and sunrise."

Thus turned back at the very outset of his adventure, Réné knew not
what to do. Should he attempt to scale the walls, he might be shot
while so doing, and at any rate there was the moat beyond, which he
could not possibly cross without detection. Seeking the deep shadow of
an angle, the boy seated himself on a gun-carriage and pondered over
the situation. The more he thought of it the more impossible did it
seem for him to escape beyond the grim walls and meet Has-se at the
appointed time.