On another occasion during the same period the Padre’s loyalty and good humour were manifested, though in a different manner.  While amusing himself in the garden one day, he overheard two Irish soldiers engaged in conversation to this effect:—­

“You know that the ould boy asks every body afore he gives any praties, if they belong to St. Patrick; well, is it a hard matter to tell him we do, agrah?”

“Sure you’d be telling a lie, Paddy!”

“Never mind that,” said Paddy, “I’ll spake.”

The old gentleman immediately returned to the house, and entering by a back door, was snugly seated in his arm-chair, book in hand, when the two Hibernians were admitted.

“Well, my boys, what is your business with me?”

“We would be wanting a few praties, if your Riverence could spare them.”

“Aha! you are from Ireland, I perceive.  Irishmen very fond of potatoes!  Well, my boys, I have a few remaining, and you shall have some if you belong to St. Patrick.”

“Faith, and it is all as your honour says; we are Irishmen, and we belong to St. Patrick.”

The old gentleman ordered Joseph to supply them with the “blessed root,” without any further parley.  Then addressing the speaker in a voice of assumed choler, exclaimed:—­

“You are a great raskail! does your religion teach you to tell lies?  You are Protestant both of you.  However, if you do not belong to St. Patrick, you belong to the King of England, and I give my potatoes for his sake.  But you must never try to impose upon an old priest again, or you may not come so well off.”

CHAPTER III.

ON SERVICE—­LAKE OF TWO MOUNTAINS—­OPPOSITION—­INDIANS—­AMUSEMENTS AT THE POSTS.

I arrived at Montreal about the beginning of May, and soon learnt that I was appointed to the post at Lake of Two Mountains.  The Montreal department was headed at that time by Mr. Thane, a man of rather eccentric character, but possessed of a heart that glowed with the best feelings of humanity.  I was allowed to amuse myself a few days in town, having directions however to call at the office every day, in case my services should be required.  The period of departure at length arrived.  I was one evening accosted by Mr. Thane in these terms:—­“I say, youngster, you have been trifling away your time long enough here; you must hold yourself ready to embark for your destination to-morrow morning at five o’clock precisely.  If you delay one moment, you shall have cause to remember it.”  Such positive injunctions were not disregarded by me.  I was of course ready at the time appointed, and after all the hurry, had the honour of breakfasting with my commander before departing; but the woful and disheartening accounts of the hardships and privations I was to suffer in the country to which I was to proceed, fairly spoiled my appetite.  I was told that my only