Chapter XII.

"Ring the alarm bell."
-- _Macbeth._

The abductors of Amanda were no other than the
three sons of Andre Duchatel, along with the vin-
dictive Narcisse acting as their guide. He and
Alphonse Duchatel, at the branching of the road, had
parted company with the others, and so drawn upon
themselves the pursuer, Claude Montigny, who being
magnificently mounted gained fast upon them, till
fearing to be overtaken they leaped from their horses,
and taking to their heels concealed themselves amongst
the trees that covered the side of the mountain, and
where no rider could follow. Claude then saw that he
had been the dupe of a stratagem; and after galloping
across the country, struck the road that he had been
decoyed from following; then urging his horse in the
direction which he supposed the principal abductors
had pursued, he at length in despair left it, and again
clearing fence and brook, held his course towards the
city of Montreal, where he arrived betwixt midnight
and dawn, and with the butt of his riding-whip
knocked at the advocate's door.

The old man was dreaming of the apparently fair
fortune of Amanda; of the ingenuous Claude, and of
his father, the importunate and imperious Seigneur,
when the clang rung through the mansion, and rudely
dispelled his visions. At first he was doubtful as to

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v?