Some of them he found to be sullen brutes, but many were kind and
friendly, and proved to be jolly good fellows.
On the occasion of his second visit, a familiar voice saluted him
with, "Well, Rolf! Comment ca va?" and he had the painful joy of
greeting Francois la Colle.
"You'll help me get away, Rolf, won't you?" and the little
Frenchman whispered and winked. "I have seven little ones now on
La Riviere, dat have no flour, and tinks dere pa is dead."
"I'll do all I can, Francois," and the picture of the desolate
home, brought a husk in his voice and a choke in his throat. He
remembered too the musket ball that by intent had whistled
harmless overhead. "But," he added in a shaky voice, "I cannot
help my country's enemy to escape."
Then Rolf took counsel with McGlassin, told him all about the
affair at the mill, and McGlassin with a heart worthy of his
mighty shoulders, entered into the spirit of the situation, went
to General Macomb presenting such a tale and petition that six
hours later Francis bearing a passport through the lines was
trudging away to Canada, paroled for the rest of the war.
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