The sentinels were unable to understand the meaning of this movement. It did not seem probable the enemy counted on boldly reconnoitering the island, nor was it reasonable to suppose any attack was to be made with so small a force, and Mark said, in perplexity: "I can't make out why they are coming; but we'll be ready for whatever turn affairs may take." "Shall we fire on them if they get too near?" Susan asked. "Unless they claim to be friends, which isn't likely, we'll treat them exactly as we would the Abenakis, if they were bold enough to land in broad day," Mark replied, and, as assurance of his intentions, he made certain his musket was ready for immediate use. The strangers paddled directly toward the spot where were kept the boats of the settlers, beached the canoe, and straightway approached the stockade, as friends might have done. The three children on guard watched the newcomers curiously, until they were within fifty or sixty paces of the gate, and then Mark hailed: "It will be safer to halt where you are until we understand the reason for this visit," he cried, showing himself above the palisade, with musket in hand. "Are you in command of the stockade?" one of the visitors asked, as all three came to a full stop. "Ay, for the time being." "How many have you in garrison?" one of the newcomers asked, as he advanced a single pace, to show that he was authorized to act as spokesman for his party. "That is for you to find out," Mark replied, with a smile. "You must take us for simples, if it is in your mind that we will give all the information demanded." "I did not ask to gain information, for we know exactly the number of women and children here. I desired that you yourself should state it in order to the better understand how entirely you are at our mercy," The man said, and his manner of speech told that he was French. "I do not need to repeat it, having seen your force, and knowing my own full well." "Then you can understand that when I offer good quarter if you surrender without resistance, it should do away with any necessity for a conflict." "Are you ready to give the same quarter your people promised at Falmouth, when the defenceless prisoners were murdered by you Frenchmen?" Mark cried, angrily. "I give you my word of honor as a soldier, than no one shall be harmed if you surrender this place immediately," the officer replied, sharply. "If I have heard rightly, the Baron de Castine gave the same pledge at Falmouth, and afterward excused himself by saying that he could not restrain the Indian allies," Mark said, stoutly. "Since then it is difficult to believe that French officers have any too much honor; otherwise, perhaps, they would not fight side by side with savages." "Do you refuse to surrender?" the visitor asked, angrily. [Illustration: "Do you refuse to surrender?"]