What says the Frenchman? demanded the veteran, sternly;
does he make a merit of having captured
a scout, with a note from headquarters? Sir, he had better raise this siege, to go and sit down before
Edward if he wishes to frighten his enemy with words
.
Duncan explained the other's meaning.
Monsieur de Montcalm, we will hear you
, the veteran added, more calmly, as Duncan ended.
To retain the fort is now impossible
, said his liberal enemy;
it is necessary to the interests of my master
that it should be destroyed; but as for yourselves and your brave comrades, there is no privilege dear to
a soldier that shall be denied
.
Our colors
? demanded Heyward.
Carry them to England, and show them to your king
.
Our arms
?
Keep them; none can use them better
.
Our march; the surrender of the place
?
Shall all be done in a way most honorable to yourselves
.
Duncan now turned to explain these proposals to his commander, who heard him with amazement, and a sensibility that was deeply touched by so unusual and unexpected generosity.
Go you, Duncan
, he said;
go with this marquess, as, indeed, marquess he should be; go to his marquee
and arrange it all. I have lived to see two things in my old age that never did I expect to behold. An
Englishman afraid to support a friend, and a Frenchman too honest to profit by his advantage
.
So saying, the veteran again dropped his head to his chest, and returned slowly toward the fort, exhibiting, by the dejection of his air, to the anxious garrison, a harbinger of evil tidings.
From the shock of this unexpected blow the haughty feelings of Munro never recovered; but from that moment there commenced a change in his determined character, which accompanied him to a speedy grave. Duncan remained to settle the terms of the capitulation. He was seen to re-enter the works during the first watches of the night, and immediately after a private conference with the commandant, to leave them again. It was then openly announced that hostilities must cease - Munro having signed a treaty by which the place was to be yielded to the enemy, with the morning; the garrison to retain their arms, the colors and their baggage, and, consequently, according to military opinion, their honor.