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. "They'd see us directly," said Phil. "There's another shot. I say, doesn't that show the soldiers haven't been able to hit my father?" "Of course," said the Doctor, cheerfully; and then after listening while the firing kept on, sounding more and more distant till it stopped altogether, he held his breath in dread lest the boy should notice this and ask him whether the silence might mean that the French soldiers had at last hit either man or horse. But to the old man's great relief Phil took the silence to mean that the Captain had escaped, and was in a high state of excitement and showed his delight. "They'll come after us now," he said, "but I don't care now father has got away." "Then you wouldn't mind being taken a prisoner, Phil?" said the Doctor. "Oh, yes, I should. It would be dreadful for you." "And for you, my boy." "Oh, I don't think I should mind much, Dr Martin. It would be good fun too." "Good fun?" "Yes," said the boy, with a merry grin upon his frank young face. "We should have no books, and there'd be no lessons." "I could teach you without books, Phil," said the Doctor, gravely. "Yes, I forgot that," said the boy. "Oh, what a lot you know!" "Very little, my dear boy; but we cannot think about lessons now--we have to escape. 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. "My father has come with his men to fight against the Marquis--Marquis--What did you say his name is?" "Montcalm. The Marquis de Montcalm," replied the Doctor, "who is at Quebec." "And my father's men are going to take Quebec away from him for the King of England." "Your father's leader is General Wolfe," said the Doctor, smiling. "Oh, yes, I know--General Wolfe," said Phil, eagerly. "But, I say, Dr Martin, shan't we be able to go back to the house--I'm getting so hungry?" "No; I'm afraid we must not go back to the house again." "But all our things are there." "Yes, all our clothes, and my books." "But what about dinner?" cried Phil. "Ah, to be sure," said the old man, smiling, "what about dinner! You see, Phil," he continued, as he looked about in all directions over the open country, "your father said we were to get right away from the fighting, and after it was over he would come and join us." "Yes, I know," said the boy.