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diff --git a/old/62154-h/62154-h.htm b/old/62154-h/62154-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 2edb6fc..0000000 --- a/old/62154-h/62154-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,13960 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.1//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml11/DTD/xhtml11.dtd"> - -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en"> - -<head> - -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/img-cover.jpg" /> - -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> - -<title> -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Canada, by Beckles Willson -</title> - -<style type="text/css"> -body { color: black; - background: white; - margin-right: 10%; - margin-left: 10%; - font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; - text-align: justify } - -p {text-indent: 4% } - -p.noindent {text-indent: 0% } - -p.t1 {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 200%; - text-align: center } - -p.t2 {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 150%; - text-align: center } - -p.t2b {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 150%; - font-weight: bold; - text-align: center } - -p.t3 {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 100%; - text-align: center } - -p.t3b {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 100%; - font-weight: bold; - text-align: center } - -p.t4 {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 80%; - text-align: center } - -p.t4b {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 80%; - font-weight: bold; - text-align: center } - -p.t5 {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 60%; - text-align: center } - -h1 { text-align: center } -h2 { text-align: center } -h3 { text-align: center } -h4 { text-align: center } -h5 { text-align: center } - -p.poem {text-indent: 0%; - margin-left: 10%; } - -p.thought {text-indent: 0% ; - letter-spacing: 4em ; - text-align: center } - -p.letter {text-indent: 0%; - margin-left: 10% ; - margin-right: 10% } - -p.footnote {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 90%; - margin-left: 10% ; - margin-right: 10% } - -.smcap { font-variant: small-caps } - -p.transnote {text-indent: 0% ; - margin-left: 10% ; - margin-right: 10% } - -p.index {text-indent: -5% ; - margin-left: 5% ; - margin-top: 0% ; - margin-bottom: 0% ; - margin-right: 0% } - -p.intro {font-size: 90% ; - text-indent: -5% ; - margin-left: 5% ; - margin-right: 0% } - -p.quote {text-indent: 4% ; - margin-left: 0% ; - margin-right: 0% } - -p.finis { font-size: larger ; - text-align: center ; - text-indent: 0% ; - margin-left: 0% ; - margin-right: 0% } - -p.capcenter { margin-left: 0; - margin-right: 0 ; - margin-bottom: .5% ; - margin-top: 0; - font-weight: bold; - float: none ; - clear: both ; - text-indent: 0%; - text-align: center } - -img.imgcenter { margin-left: auto; - margin-bottom: 0; - margin-top: 1%; - margin-right: auto; } - -.pagenum { position: absolute; - left: 1%; - font-size: 95%; - text-align: left; - text-indent: 0; - font-style: normal; - font-weight: normal; - font-variant: normal; } - -</style> - -</head> - -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Canada, by Beckles Willson - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Canada - -Author: Beckles Willson - -Illustrator: Henry Sandham - -Release Date: May 16, 2020 [EBook #62154] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CANADA *** - - - - -Produced by Al Haines - - - - - -</pre> - - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="capcenter"> -<a id="img-cover"></a> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-cover.jpg" alt="Cover art" /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="img-front"></a></p> -<p class="capcenter"> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-front.jpg" alt="Landing of the Loyalists, 1783 (Page 260)" /> -<br /> -Landing of the Loyalists, 1783 (<a href="#P260">Page 260</a>) -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="capcenter"> -<a id="img-title"></a> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-title.jpg" alt="Title page" /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3b"> - ROMANCE OF EMPIRE<br /> -</p> - -<h1> -<br /><br /> - CANADA<br /> -</h1> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3b"> - BY<br /> -</p> - -<p class="t2"> - BECKLES WILLSON<br /> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> - AUTHOR OF 'THE GREAT FUR COMPANY,' 'LEDGER AND SWORD,' ETC.<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> - WITH TWELVE REPRODUCTIONS FROM ORIGINAL COLOURED DRAWINGS BY<br /> - HENRY SANDHAM<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> - LONDON: T. C. & E. C. JACK, LTD.<br /> - 35 PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C., & EDINBURGH<br /> -<br /> - 1907<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> - TO MY SON<br /> -<br /> - GORDON<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="Pvii"></a>vii}</span> -</p> - -<p class="t3b"> -PREFACE -</p> - -<p> -In the following pages is told the history of my -native land, as a sagamore of the olden time might -tell the legends of the past to the young braves of -his tribe gathered round the lodge fire. Though -primarily intended for youth, yet there is scarce -any one of intelligence and spirit who may not find -some entertainment in hearing of the doings of the -valiant heroes, the bloodthirsty villains, the virtuous -ladies who played their part in the Canadian drama, -and then passed for ever away. -</p> - -<p> -Elsewhere I have given the story of Hudson's -Bay,[<a id="chap00fn1text"></a><a href="#chap00fn1">1</a>] and what is recounted here of fur-traders and -fur-trading forts owes much, as the reader will -expect, to my former book. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="footnote"> -<a id="chap00fn1"></a> -[<a href="#chap00fn1text">1</a>] <i>The Great Fur Company</i> 1899. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="Pix"></a>ix}</span> -</p> - -<p class="t3b"> -CONTENTS -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -CHAPTER I -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap01"> -CARTIER UNFURLS THE FLAG OF THE LILIES -</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -CHAPTER II -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap02"> -POUTRAINCOURT GOES FORTH TO ACADIA -</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -CHAPTER III -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap03"> -OF THE DOINGS OF GALLANT CHAMPLAIN -</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -CHAPTER IV -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap04"> -ROMANCE OF THE TWO DE LA TOURS -</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -CHAPTER V -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap05"> -THE FOUNDING OF MONTREAL -</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -CHAPTER VI -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap06"> -THE FURY OF THE IROQUOIS -</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -CHAPTER VII -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap07"> -STRANGE DOINGS AT PORT ROYAL -</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -CHAPTER VIII -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap08"> -THE COMING OF FRONTENAC -</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="Px"></a>x}</span> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -CHAPTER IX -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap09"> -"QUEBEC FOR KING LOUIS" -</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -CHAPTER X -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap10"> -KING LOUIS BUILDS A MIGHTY FORT -</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -CHAPTER XI -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap11"> -HOW LOUISBURG SURRENDERED AND WAS GIVEN BACK -</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -CHAPTER XII -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap12"> -THE ACADIANS ARE BANISHED FROM ACADIA -</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -CHAPTER XIII -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap13"> -TERRIBLE FIGHTS OVER THE BORDER -</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -CHAPTER XIV -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap14"> -HOW THE GALLANT WOLFE TOOK QUEBEC -</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -CHAPTER XV -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap15"> -LEVIS AND THE NOBLES RETIRE TO OLD FRANCE -</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -CHAPTER XVI -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap16"> -THE COMING OF THE LOYALISTS -</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -CHAPTER XVII -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap17"> -HOW CANADA'S ENEMY WAS FOILED -</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -CHAPTER XVIII -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap18"> -TRAITORS, REDCOATS, AND REDSKINS -</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#index"> -INDEX -</a> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="Pxi"></a>xi}</span> -</p> - -<p class="t3b"> -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#img-front"> -Landing of the Loyalists, 1783 ... Frontispiece -</a> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#img-008"> -Jacques Cartier and the Redskins -</a> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#img-022"> -"The Order of a Good Time," 1606 -</a> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#img-054"> -De la Tour refuses to yield his Allegiance, 1630 -</a> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#img-066"> -Maisonneuve covering the Retreat of his Followers, 1644 -</a> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#img-084"> -Dollard strikes his Last Blow, 1658 -</a> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#img-136"> -"My Guns will give my Answer," Frontenac, 1690 -</a> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#img-142"> -Heroic Defence by Madeleine de Verchères and her Brothers, 1692 -</a> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#img-218"> -Wolfe's Army scaling the Cliff at Quebec, 1759 -</a> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#img-268"> -Laura Secord intercepted by the Mohawk Scouts -</a> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#img-284"> -Meeting of the Nor'-Westers at Fort William, 1816 -</a> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#img-296"> -The Defeat of Louis Riel, Fish Creek, 1885. -</a> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap01"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P1"></a>1}</span></p> - -<p class="t2"> -THE ROMANCE OF CANADA -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER I -<br /><br /> -CARTIER UNFURLS THE FLAG OF THE LILIES -</h3> - -<p> -Nearly four centuries ago, in the spring of the year, -the banks of the river Thames from Windsor to -Greenwich were lined with a multitude of gaily-dressed -lieges. Artisans and their wives, tradesmen -and apprentices, farmers in smock frocks, gentlemen -in doublets and hose, and ladies in farthingales, all -came out to snatch a peep of a brave spectacle. -From lip to lip ran the news that at last the royal -barge in its crimson and gold trappings had set out -from Windsor. Bluff "King Hal," as the people -affectionately termed their monarch, and his new -queen, Anne Boleyn, were that day making their -first voyage together down the Thames to the -royal palace at Greenwich. -</p> - -<p> -Glance at this spectacle but a moment, for, if -an English reader and more familiar with English -than with Canadian history, it will serve to fix the -date of my story's opening firmly in your mind. -The banks are re-echoing with loyal cheers, the State -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P2"></a>2}</span> -bargemen are plying their oars and the State -trumpeters their trumpets, while poor Anne Boleyn, -little dreaming of the fate awaiting her, smiles and -nods merrily at the crowds who wave their silken -kerchiefs in the sunshine. So this first water pageant -of the season passes along. -</p> - -<p> -Now, History borrowing something of Romance, -has so ordered it that on this self-same day, the -20th of April 1534, when the English King was -setting out on the river journey with his new queen, -on the other side of the English Channel another -and very different embarkation was taking place, and -a very different voyage was begun. -</p> - -<p> -The object of this enterprise was far indeed -from pleasure, and its consequences were very -important and far-reaching, not only to the King of -France, but to King Henry the Eighth's successors, -the English people and the British Empire of our -own day. Different as it was, there was here, too, -cheering and waving of caps and cries of "Vive le -Roi!" as the soldiers, sailors, and townsfolk on the -dock at St. Malo bade lion-hearted Jacques Cartier -godspeed on his adventurous voyage to the New -World. -</p> - -<p> -At this time, you must bear in mind, more than -forty years had elapsed since Christopher Columbus -had returned to Spain with tidings of his glorious -discovery on the other side of the Atlantic. When -Jacques Cartier, son of a Breton mariner, was born, -all Europe was still ringing with the news. As the -child grew up he heard tales of how often famous -mariners had in turn sailed boldly to the west and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P3"></a>3}</span> -claimed for Spain, Portugal, and England the lands -which might lead to India and serve as gateway to -the Spice Islands of the East. Amongst these -sailors were John Cabot and his son Sebastian, -who, although themselves Venetians, sailed from -the port of Bristol and flew the English flag. In -1498 the Cabots explored the whole coast of North -America from Labrador to South Carolina, and were -the first Europeans actually to land in the country -we to-day know as Canada. After the Cabots, who -claimed the whole northern lands for England, came, -a quarter of a century later, a Florentine navigator, -named Verrazano, who declared the entire region -annexed to the French Crown. And now, because of -Verrazano's claim, King Francis of France was -sending Jacques Cartier forth from St. Malo with two -little ships and 120 men to explore inland and set up -the French flag and a French colony in a New France -beyond the sea. So this Frenchman, valiant, lean, -and rugged, with his little band of compatriots, sailed -away on that April day while Bluff King Hal of -England was merrymaking on the Thames, well content -with his little isle of England, giving no thought -to Empire or distant deeds of discovery and conquest -amongst the savage nations of the earth. -</p> - -<p> -Straight towards the setting sun steered Cartier -and his men. As they were not buffeted greatly by -the waves, in twenty days' time, on the 10th of May, -they reached the straits which led to the gulf and -river of St. Lawrence. How their hearts leapt when -they sighted land! On their left they saw the great -island of Newfoundland and on the right Labrador's -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P4"></a>4}</span> -bleak shores stretched before them. "Surely," cried -Cartier, "this is Cain's portion of the earth!" But -their spirits rose when they sailed into the Gulf and -came to rich forests of pine, maple, and ash, with -abundance of blossom and wild berries on every hand. -They had been afraid that the interior was as desolate -as their first glimpse of Labrador. The few Indians -on the banks gazed upon them with a wondering but -friendly eye. The explorers were unprepared, too, -for the great heat which overtook them. By day the -land was bathed in intense sunshine, and at night a -gorgeous moon lit up the broad waters, while owls -and bats wheeled in air heavily perfumed with -wild shrubs and flowers. A bay in which he -anchored Cartier called Baie des Chaleurs. Sailing -on, he came to a promontory, which he christened -Cape Gaspé, where he landed and set up a cross 30 -feet high. On its front was a shield with the arms -of France. As you travel through Eastern Canada -to-day you will frequently come upon crosses by -the wayside, where the country folk kneel and say -their prayers. This at Gaspé was the first cross -erected in New France. While the pious sailors -were erecting it a number of red-men flocked -near and surveyed the proceeding jealously, as if the -white newcomers were about to charm away their -land; but Cartier explained as best he could to their -medicine-men and distributed amongst them some -knives and trinkets, of which he had brought out -hither a goodly store. -</p> - -<p> -Having quieted their suspicions, Cartier lured two -of the young red-men into his ship, wishing to -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P5"></a>5}</span> -show them, on his return, to the King. Cartier had -meant to continue his voyage much farther westward, -but adverse winds met him, wherefore, abandoning -this resolution, and taking counsel with his officers -and pilots, he decided to set sail for France. As -truly as Columbus he had discovered a new world, -and from the two natives whom he bore away -Jacques Cartier had learnt of the existence of the -great river St. Lawrence. So much interest was -awakened in France by Cartier's narrative of his -voyage, that there was no difficulty about procuring -the money for another expedition. The French -Court and people were filled with enthusiasm about -Canada, and so they continued to be for more than -two centuries. How their hope and confidence were -rewarded we shall see in due time. -</p> - -<p> -When Jacques Cartier again took his departure -from St. Malo, in May 1535, he commanded three -ships and 110 sailors. A number of nobles and -gentlemen, moreover, belonging to some of the proudest -families in France, went with him, eager for adventure. -They thought, as marine adventurers often thought -in those days, that this time surely they would find -the gateway to the passage of Cathay and win wealth -untold. But they were not so lucky as at first; the -winds were so bad that seven weeks elapsed before -Cartier reached the Straits of Belle Isle. From this -point the squadron steered for the Gulf St. Lawrence, -so named by Cartier in honour of the saint upon whose -day it was discovered. Keeping on, as his Indian -interpreters bade him do, he sailed up that stream which -the Indians called "The Great River of Canada." -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P6"></a>6}</span> -</p> - -<p> -Can you wonder at Cartier and his attendant -nobles feeling a thrill of excitement as the landscape -no white man had ever seen before slowly unfolded -itself to view? Opposite the great mouth of the -mysterious Saguenay red-men in birch bark canoes -came to greet them. Their two interpreters could -exchange language with these, although their many -months' residence in France had made them very -different in appearance from their brother savages of -Canada. They wore now slashed crimson doublets -and brilliant striped hose, while the massive feathers -in their heads caused the Canadian Indians to regard -them as chiefs of great renown. Cartier led his ships -on to what the natives called "The Kingdom of -Canada," which stretched along the St. Lawrence as -far as the Island of Montreal, where the King of -Hochelaga held his sway. To the fertile Isle of -Orleans, which Cartier reached on the 9th of -September, he gave the name of Isle of Bacchus, on -account of the abundant grape vines growing upon -it. From here the explorer could see on the north -bank of the great river a towering promontory lit up -by the morning sun. This was Cape Diamond, at -whose base there crouched the Indian village of -Stadacona. Cartier anchored here his little fleet, and -the chief of the neighbouring tribe, Donacona, came -to greet him, with twelve canoes full of warriors. -After a speech of welcome, the women of the tribe, -or squaws, danced and sang without ceasing, standing -in water up to their knees. -</p> - -<p> -Jacques Cartier was delighted with the country he -had discovered, and lost no time in deciding to proceed -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P7"></a>7}</span> -up the river as far as Hochelaga. Donacona and the -other chiefs, on hearing this, did their utmost to -dissuade him by inventing stories about the dangers of the -river. Perceiving these made little impression on the -sturdy sailor, three Indians were forthwith dressed as -devils, "with faces painted as black as coal, with -horns as long as the arm, and covered with the skins -of black and white dogs." Cartier was told that -these devils were the servants of the Indian god at -Hochelaga, who warned the European strangers that -"there was so much snow and ice that all would die." To -their astonishment, however, Cartier only laughed -at such tricks, and told them that "their god was a -mere fool, and that Jesus would preserve them from -all danger if they would believe in Him." Wishing -also to impress upon them his own great power, he -ordered several pieces of artillery to be discharged in -the presence of the chief and his warriors; whereupon -they became filled with astonishment and dread. -Never before had they heard such terrible sounds. -What were these strangers who could produce -thunder at will? To reassure them, the "pale-face" -chief distributed trinkets, small crosses, beads, pieces -of glass, and other trifles amongst them and sailed on -boldly up the river. -</p> - -<p> -In a fortnight a town, consisting of about fifty -large huts or cabins surrounded by wooden palisades, -came into view; 1200 souls belonging to a tribe -called the Algonquins dwelt here in Hochelaga. -The whole population assembled on the banks and -gave the visitors friendly welcome. All that night -the savages remained on the shore, burning bonfires, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P8"></a>8}</span> -dancing, and crying out "Aguaze!" which was their -word for welcome and joy. The poor Indians took -Cartier and his men for gods. He distributed gifts -amongst them and professed to heal their ailments. -</p> - -<p><a id="img-008"></a></p> -<p class="capcenter"> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-008.jpg" alt="Jacques Cartier and the Red-skins" /> -<br /> -Jacques Cartier and the Red-skins -</p> - -<p> -Near the town of Hochelaga was a mountain, to -which the Indians conducted their visitors. From -the summit this first band of Europeans in Canada -gazed down at the wonderful panorama spread before -their eyes, glistening rivers, green meadows, and -forests of maple brilliant in autumn scarlets and -yellows. Naming this lofty eminence Mount Royal, -Jacques Cartier and his companions returned to -Stadacona. Having decided to spend the winter in -Canada, a fort was forthwith built on the shore, but -before the little colony could be more than half -prepared, a fierce Canadian blizzard was upon them. -Never had they known such cold and such tempests. -From their lack of fresh food, scurvy rioted amongst -them, and out of 110 men 25 died. When the disease -was at its height an Indian told them that they -could be cured by the juice of a spruce tree. Out of -their fort they ran with the axes, and so quickly did -they drink the juice that in six days the whole of a -great tree had been consumed. -</p> - -<p> -Thus was the little colony made well again. -Lest the Indians should know how weak they were -during that terrible winter, they continued to dread; -but no attack was made upon them, and in the -spring Cartier made ready to return to France. -This time Donacona and four other chiefs were -seized by stratagem and taken on board ship. A -cross 30 feet high, with the fleur-de-lys fastened to -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P9"></a>9}</span> -it, was set up on the shore, and in the middle of May -the waters of the St. Lawrence began to bear them -down to the Gulf and the open Atlantic. Exactly -one month later Cartier was being greeted by the -cheers of the people of his native St. Malo. -</p> - -<p> -Alas! Donacona and the other Indian braves -whom the French had borne away never returned to -Stadacona and their forest haunts. Before Cartier -was ready to make another voyage to Canada, five -years later, all had pined away and died. It was then -that the Sieur de Roberval, a nobleman of Picardy, -was appointed by King Francis as lieutenant, with the -high-sounding titles of Governor of Canada, -Hochelaga, Saguenay, Newfoundland, Belle Isle, Carpunt, -Labrador, the Great Bay, and of Baccalaos, as well as -Lord of Norembaga, which latter country existed -only in imagination. Roberval meant to have gone -out with Cartier, but was detained until the following -year. On his third voyage Jacques Cartier visited -Hochelaga and tried to pass up the river beyond the -village, but the dangerous rapids of Lachine caused -him to pause. When he returned to France a year -later, he took with him some small transparent stones -which he supposed were diamonds, but which were -really only quartz crystals; he also carried away what -he deemed to be gold ore, but which turned out to be -merely mica. On the way back he met the Sieur -de Roberval, who afterwards built a fort on the -St. Lawrence and explored the surrounding country. -But Roberval wrought nothing, and famine at length -reduced the survivors to a state of abject dependence -upon the natives. In vain Roberval entreated the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P10"></a>10}</span> -King to come to his rescue with supplies of colonists, -food, and ammunition. Instead of acceding to this -petition, King Francis despatched orders for his -lieutenant to return home to France. Roberval -reluctantly obeyed, and thus this first attempt to -establish a French colony on the banks of the -St. Lawrence ended in failure. -</p> - -<p> -Cartier was allowed by the King to bear always the -title of "Captain." He undertook no more voyages -into unknown lands, but died about 1577 in his own -manor-house close to St. Malo. While he was thus -spending his later years in an enforced retirement, -eating his heart out for want of adventure, a daring -Spaniard, De Soto, was facing dangers at the other -and southern end of the Continent, close to the triple -mouths of the Mississippi, which he had discovered. -</p> - -<p> -King Francis of France, years before, had been -stricken by death, and thereupon his country became -plunged in unhappy civil war. Catholic and -Huguenot dipped their blades in each other's blood; -but in the midst of the long and deadly strife Canada -was not wholly forgotten. Frenchmen still spoke -with pride of the valiant Cartier and the flag of the -lilies which he had unfurled in the Western world. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap02"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P11"></a>11}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER II -<br /><br /> -POUTRAINCOURT GOES FORTH TO ACADIA -</h3> - -<p> -It was a terrible era for France. Catholics and -Huguenots made fierce war upon one another, and in the -midst of all the fighting and murders and massacres -such as that of St. Bartholomew, which you may -read about in French history, conquest and discovery -languished. Although the King, the Court, and -the Cardinals had no time to spare to Canada, yet -you must not suppose that for the next fifty years -there was no connection at all between the New -World and France. The red-men, paddling up and -down the mighty St. Lawrence, very often met with -pale-face mariners eager to exchange guns and -hatchets and beads for the furs of the animals trapped -in the northern wilderness. Many European ships—often -over a hundred sail—came every year to -Newfoundland to the cod-fisheries off that coast, and -some of these sailed onward into the Gulf and on to -Tadoussac, and even as far as Three Rivers. At -these places fur-trading stations were set up, and -hither repaired each season the hardy mariners, who -were not slow to discover more profit in Europe out -of sable and beaver skins than out of cod-fish. Those -wild animals, whose fur was esteemed in France and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P12"></a>12}</span> -other lands, were so plentiful in Canada that in -course of time the peltry trade, as it was called, grew -to be the principal business of the country. As each -spring came round the savage tribes, whose hunting-grounds -were far in the interior, would pack their -furs in canoes and paddle hundreds of miles down -the lakes and rivers to the post where the white -trader was awaiting them. When the Indian had -bartered his furs, back he paddled again to his own -hunting-grounds, and the trader in turn sailed back -to France, to return the next season. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile, too, English sailors, lieges to the -great Elizabeth, had been visiting the New World -which Cabot had claimed for England. First there -came Martin Frobisher in 1576, who, looking for a -short route to India, set foot on the shores of -Labrador. Again, on the other side of the continent, -Sir Francis Drake, sailing round the world, sighted -the snowy peaks on the borders of British Columbia, -which afterwards became a part of the Canadian -Dominion. Then came Sir Humphrey Gilbert, -half-brother of Sir Walter Raleigh, with 260 men -and several ships, to plant a colony in Newfoundland. -Sir Humphrey's sovereign mistress, Elizabeth, had -graciously granted him a charter of 600 miles in -every direction from St. John's, whereby he became -lord and master of what we know to-day as Nova -Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and -parts of Labrador and Quebec. It was on a serene -August morning that the fleet reached harbour. -Donning his most gorgeous doublet of lace and -velvet, and surrounded by his stalwart retainers, Sir -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P13"></a>13}</span> -Humphrey landed at St. John's and took possession -of Newfoundland in Elizabeth's name. When he -had reconnoitred the coast, our courtier resolved -to return with his people to England for provisions -and reinforcements. Nowadays many of our bravest -sailors would be afraid to trust themselves in the -little ships that formed his fleet. They were very -short, curved, and blunt, and, compared to our modern -floating castles, were only giant cockle-shells. A few -days out a hurricane arose, and in the midst of the -raging seas Sir Humphrey's ship, the <i>Squirrel</i>, was -doomed. But not even his dreadful fate, when it -loomed around him, could fill the brave commander's -soul with fear. With waves careering mast-high he sat -placidly on deck with a Bible on his lap. "Cheer up, -lads," cried he to his sailors, "we are as near heaven -on sea as on land." And so the cruel billows rolled -over the <i>Squirrel</i>, and it and the brave souls it bore -were lost for ever. The expedition from which so -much had been hoped in England was an utter -failure. It was the sons of France who were destined -to found and people Canada, and to perform such -deeds of daring valour and endurance as are not to -be surpassed in the history of our own island -motherland. Englishmen, it is true, were to have all -Canada at last, but nearly two hundred years were -to roll by before their soldiers could wrest the -mainland from their hereditary rivals. -</p> - -<p> -Fifteen years had passed since Sir Humphrey -Gilbert went down in the little <i>Squirrel</i>, when a -French noble, the Marquis de la Roche, received a -commission from King Henry the Fourth of France -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P14"></a>14}</span> -to colonise Canada. With the commission in his -pocket the Marquis knew not which way to turn. -It was not easy in those days to find Frenchmen -ready to live in a country supposed to be ice and -snow the whole year round. But "where there's a -will there's a way," and the Marquis at last chose fifty -sturdy convicts from the prisons and galleys, and, -embarking with his retinue, set sail for the West. A -long low sandbank called Sable Island guards the -entrance to St. Lawrence Gulf, and here the Viceroy -set forty of his convicts ashore while he explored the -waters roundabout. At first the marooned convicts -were delighted with their freedom. They roamed -hither and thither, finding a lagoon of fresh water, -frequented by wild cattle and coveys of wild ducks. -Sweet berries flourished in abundance. During all -that summer the convicts amused themselves, keeping -a sharp look-out for the return of their lord and -master, the Marquis, who had gone to find them a -haven to settle in and build their dwellings. Day -succeeded day, week followed week, but the -Marquis never came back. A violent storm had -arisen which drove his vessel eastward across the -wide Atlantic to the very shores of France, where the -hapless nobleman was seized by a powerful enemy -and cast into prison. Can you not picture the rage -and despair of the unhappy men on Sable Island -when they realised their plight? Winter was fast -approaching, and they had neither proper food, fuel, -nor raiment. Quarrelling fiercely, they slew one -another, while those who were left, huddled together -in rude huts formed of wreckage, lived on raw -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P15"></a>15}</span> -flesh and dressed themselves in the hides of wild -cattle. They gave themselves up for lost, but at -length the Marquis de la Roche, far away in France, -was able to tell the King of the predicament of the -abandoned convicts. A ship was sent out to rescue -them, and, like so many wild animals, with long -matted hair and beards, they grovelled at the feet -of their deliverers. After such hardships as they -had undergone, King Henry was not the one to send -them back to prison; he pardoned them instead, and -all who had survived went back to their homes. De -la Roche, broken in health and fortune, died soon -after, so this project for starting a colony was, as you -see, not a whit luckier than Cartier's or Roberval's -or Sir Humphrey Gilbert's had been. Was the -next attempt to reap greater success? -</p> - -<p> -In that summer of 1599, when the convicts were -still on Sable Island, to the north of them, in the -Gulf of St. Lawrence, fur-trading ships pressed -forward under full canvas to the westward. These -ships were owned by two men of King Henry's -Huguenot subjects, named Pontgravé and Chauvin, -who had formed themselves into a partnership to buy -and sell furs. No trader could lift a finger in those -days without a royal charter or patent, and these men -were influential enough to get a charter from the -King bestowing upon them the exclusive right to the -fur trade of Canada. It was hardly likely they could -really make good such a right, or that the other -Frenchmen who had been buying furs from the -Indians would thereafter stop buying them on -account of it. But it was a safe precaution, and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P16"></a>16}</span> -made their rivals' operations illegal. On their part -Pontgravé and Chauvin promised the King that they -would settle in Canada 500 colonists. In this they -were promising more than they could perform; the -most they actually did do was to induce sixteen men -to remain all winter at Tadoussac, with insufficient -food, clothing, and shelter. Alas! when the ships -from France appeared in the St. Lawrence next -year, the last year of the sixteenth century, they -found most of the sixteen dead. Their surviving -companions had married native wives and gone to -live in the wigwams of the Indians. Once more -you see this enterprise had not fared any better than -those which had gone before, and, like the others, -Chauvin died recognising bitterly that his scheme -was a failure. -</p> - -<p> -How was it with his partner, Pontgravé? -Pontgravé was only a trader, but he was of dogged -tenacity. He saw that if Canada could be colonised -by his countrymen, there was a great fortune to be -made out of the fur trade, and the way to do it, he -reasoned, was to bring his chief rivals together to -form a company, so that, instead of being enemies, all -would work together to keep out the smaller traders -or "pirates," and gradually establish proper -trading-posts in Canada. An influential and wealthy old -soldier named Aymar de Chastes, Governor of -Rouen, interested himself in the scheme, and, being -high in favour with the King of France, he procured -a charter and set about seeing if he and his friends -could not succeed where the others had been so -signally defeated. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P17"></a>17}</span> -</p> - -<p> -We have now reached the point in our story at -which Samuel de Champlain, the real founder of New -France, enters upon the scene. For Aymar de -Chastes, casting about for an experienced and -adventurous spirit to help in the new enterprise, -bethought him of a valorous naval captain who had -recently returned from Mexico and the Spanish main, -ready for anything which would fill his purse or -increase his renown. Captain de Champlain was a -truly great man, no mere hot-blooded, roystering -swashbuckler, as many adventurers were in those -days, but romantic, pious, and humane. He was -then about thirty-six years old. Offering with -alacrity his sword and his skill on an exploring -expedition up the St. Lawrence, Champlain went, in -company with Pontgravé and another adventure-loving -nobleman of the Court, Pierre du Gast, better -known as the Sieur de Monts. When these pioneers -reached Tadoussac they left their ships and ascended -the river in boats to the farthest point yet reached, -the Rapids, just above Hochelaga, now the city of -Montreal. Just as Jacques Cartier had done nearly -seventy years before, Champlain toiled up the -forest-clad slopes of Mount Royal in order to obtain a good -view of the surrounding country. He, too, was -charmed with all that met his eye, and having drawn -up a map and written down a narrative of all he had -seen, Champlain and his companions re-embarked in -the autumn, when the Canadian woods were brilliant -in their browns and purples, yellow and crimson -foliage, and sailed back across the salt seas to France. -What was their mortification to discover that during -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P18"></a>18}</span> -their absence their patron, De Chastes, had died, and -the company he had exerted himself to make -prosperous was all but broken up. But Champlain was -not to be beaten. He showed his narrative and his -maps to the good and wise King Henry, who was -perfectly satisfied of his good faith, and agreed to allow -De Monts and his friends to continue the work of -colonising Canada and organising the fur trade. De -Monts, who was a Huguenot, was forthwith appointed -the King's Viceroy in New France, on condition that -he and the others bore all the cost of the expedition, -and by and by, in the spring of 1604, four vessels once -more sailed away. It was arranged that two of the -ships should engage in the fur trade on the -St. Lawrence, while the other two were to carry out the -colonists, soldiers, work-people, priests, gentlemen, -and, as always happened, as always must happen, a -few rogues, to whichever spot De Monts selected for -the purpose. The little fleet steered farther south -than was done in the last voyage, and thus it came to -pass that it finally reached that part of New France -then called Acadia, and to-day marked Nova Scotia -on the map. How it came by its name of Nova -Scotia you shall hear later on. One day, just before -De Monts and his heterogeneous crew landed, they -anchored in a harbour where one of their sheep -(<i>moutons</i>) jumped overboard. So De Monts, who -was not without a vein of humour in these matters, -christened the harbour Port Mouton. All were -delighted with the beauty of the landscape, the -grassy meadows, the silvery streams replete with fish, -the wooded mountains. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P19"></a>19}</span> -</p> - -<p> -Besides De Monts and Champlain there was a -third leader of the expedition, a certain rich nobleman -of Picardy named Baron de Poutraincourt. It was -Poutraincourt who named the place where he wished -to found a colony Port Royal. It was, wrote -Champlain afterwards, "the most commodious, -pleasant place that we had yet seen in this -country." Unhappily the leaders could not instantly make up -their minds, and the landing and settlement actually -took place many leagues farther along on the banks -of a river which now forms the boundary between -the two great countries of America and Canada, -which river was then, and ever since has been, called -the Holy Cross (Ste. Croix) River. What a scene of -joyous bustle ensued! Eighty people disembarked -from the ships, and were soon hard at work building -the little fort and houses of the first French -settlement on the coast of the North-American Continent. -While the colony was thus industriously making -ready for the winter, Champlain, thinking he might -be better employed, went off exploring the coast in -his ship, sailing up and down what was destined to -become long before he died the territory of New -England. -</p> - -<p> -Great trials were in store for the little colony. -Very quickly the settlers found that Holy Cross -River was a very uncomfortable place, lacking -sufficient shelter, with little or no fuel handy. What -was far worse than the winter's cold, scurvy broke -out amongst them, and by the time the leaves were -putting forth their first blossoms thirty-six persons -had perished of this disease. Poutraincourt's choice, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P20"></a>20}</span> -Port Royal, after all, was best, and there in late -spring they began to construct a town near what is -now called Annapolis. De Monts and Poutraincourt -returned in the autumn to France, and after much -labour and trouble managed to induce a large number -of mechanics and workers to come out to Acadia. -It must be confessed that there were on board -Poutraincourt's ship, the <i>Jonas</i>, which sailed from -Rochelle in May 1600, some very reckless, unruly -characters. But their leader felt convinced that they -would make good colonists, if they were only shown -the way. Amongst those to help him he had brought -a very clever man, Lescarbot, a lawyer and poet, -full of enthusiasm for the new project. -</p> - -<p> -In the meantime what of the founders and -original settlers of Port Royal? Thinking they had -been deserted by their leaders, and lacking provisions -and clothing, they became almost as discouraged as -the poor convicts had been on Sable Island. -</p> - -<p> -As the summer season wore on they constructed -two little craft—the very first ships ever built in -Canada—and straightway sailed for the Newfoundland -fishery banks to seek some of their countrymen, -leaving two only of their number and a wise old -Indian chief, named Meinbertou, to greet the -newcomers on board the <i>Jonas</i>. A peal of a cannon from -the little fort testified to the joy of its inmates that -the long-expected succour was at last at hand. A -party was sent to overtake the little Port Royal -ship to bring back the colonists. No sooner were -they landed than Poutraincourt broached a hogshead -of wine, and Port Royal became a scene of mirth -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P21"></a>21}</span> -and festivity. When Champlain and Poutraincourt -went off to make further exploration, Lescarbot was -left in charge of the colony. He set briskly to -work to show the people how they should become -prosperous. He ordered crops of wheat, rye, and -barley to be sown in the rich meadows and gardens -to be planted. Some he cheered, others he shamed -into industry, never sparing himself, so that by and -by it was not wonderful that everybody loved the -merry, witty, bustling Lescarbot. Not a day passed -but he set going some new and useful work. Until -now the people had ground their corn with hand-mills, -as their fathers and grandfathers had done for -hundreds of years; Lescarbot showed them how to -make a water-mill. He also taught them how to -make fire-bricks and a furnace, and how to turn the -sap of the trees into tar and turpentine. No wonder -the Indians, astonished to see so many novel industries -growing up before their eyes, cried out, "How many -things these Normans know!" When the explorers -returned to Port Royal, rather dispirited, Lescarbot -arranged a masquerade to welcome them back, and -all the ensuing winter, which was extremely mild, was -given up to content and good cheer. Then it was -that Champlain started his famous "Order of a Good -Time," of which many stories have come down to us. -The members of this order were the fifteen leading -men of Port Royal. They met in Poutraincourt's -great hall, where the great log fire roared merrily. -For a single day each of the members was saluted by -the rest as Grand Master and wore round his neck -the splendid collar of office, while he busied himself -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P22"></a>22}</span> -with the duty of providing dinner and entertainment. -One and all declared the fish and game were better -than in Paris, and plenty of wine there was to toast -the King and one another in turn. At the right -hand of the Grand Master sat the guest of honour, -the wrinkled sagamore, Membertou, nearly one -hundred years old, his eyes gleaming with amusement -as toast, song, and tale followed one another. On the -floor squatted other Indians who joined in the gay -revels. As a final item on the programme, the pipe -of peace, with its huge lobster-like bowl, went round, -and all smoked it in turn until the tobacco in its -fiery oven was exhausted. Then, and not till then, -the long winter evening was over. -</p> - -<p><a id="img-022"></a></p> -<p class="capcenter"> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-022.jpg" alt="'The Order of a Good Time' 1606" /> -<br /> -'The Order of a Good Time' 1606 -</p> - -<p> -What jolly times those were! If only they could -have lasted! Port Royal might have become a great -city and Acadia a populous province. But bad -tidings for Port Royal came from France. The -next ship that sailed into the harbour brought word -that De Monts' charter had been revoked by the -King, and his friends would support his scheme with -no more money. So there appeared nothing to do -but to bid good-bye to Port Royal and their Indian -friends, who watched them depart with sadness, -promising to look after the fort and its belongings -until the white men should return from over the -wide sea. -</p> - -<p> -Champlain had already in his heart chosen another -field—the lands far inland on the St. Lawrence; but -as for Poutraincourt, he swore to deal a blow at his -enemies in France and come back to take deep root in -the fertile Acadian soil. While, therefore, Champlain -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P23"></a>23}</span> -was with his followers founding Quebec, and De -Monts, discouraged, had lost all interest in Acadia, -Poutraincourt busied himself to such purpose that -three years later (1610), in spite of all the baffling -obstacles he met with, he set out again for his -promised land with a fresh shipload of settlers. -</p> - -<p> -At this time King Henry the Fourth was surrounded -by members of the Society of Jesus (called -Jesuits), who had made themselves already very -powerful in the politics of Europe. The King -ordered Poutraincourt to take out a Jesuit priest to -Acadia, but Poutraincourt, distrusting the Jesuits, -evaded the priest who had been chosen to -accompany him at Bordeaux, and took out one of his -own choosing instead, Father La Flèche. What -was their joy when they landed in midsummer -to find everything at Port Royal just as they had -left it! One may be sure the Indians gave their -pale-face friends a cordial greeting. Old Membertou, -still alive, embraced Poutraincourt and declared that -now he was ready to be baptized a Christian. The -christening duly took place, and the ancient sagamore -was renamed Henri, after the King, and his chief -squaw was christened Marie, after the Queen. There -were numerous other Indian converts, and great -celebrations took place, for the colonists were religious -enthusiasts and believed such doings would give -great satisfaction to the King. -</p> - -<p> -But, alas, the King was never to hear of it! Even -while all this was happening, while the future of the -colony promised so well, a terrible blow had fallen -upon it and the realm of France. The brave and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P24"></a>24}</span> -humane Henry the Fourth had been stabbed to -death by the dagger of the assassin Ravaillac. The -new King, Louis the Thirteenth, being only a little -boy, all the power and influence of the Court fell into -the hands of the Queen Dowager, Marie de Medici, -a false and cruel woman. Her closest friends and -advisers were the Jesuit priests. Now these Jesuits, -although professing Christianity and brotherly love, -held in horror anybody who did not think exactly -as they did. They wanted especially, by whatever -means, to make converts of the Canadian savages. -They wanted too, being very ambitious, to get the -direction of the affairs of the New World into their -own hands. -</p> - -<p> -Yet ignorant of the royal tragedy, Poutraincourt -sent his son, Biencourt, a fine youth of eighteen, -back in the ship to France, to report to his Majesty -the success at Port Royal in converting the natives. -Whereupon the Jesuits decided that the time had -come to supplant Poutraincourt. They announced -that they would send back two of their priests with -young Biencourt. A number of rich and pious -Catholic ladies of the Court, headed by Madame de -Guercheville, interested themselves so far in the -work as to buy up all the rights of Poutraincourt's -friends and partners, including De Monts, as -proprietors of Acadia. Henceforward Poutraincourt -was to be under the dependence of the Jesuits. -That was the unwelcome news his son sailed back to -tell him. The two priests whom he was obliged to -receive—Biard and Ennemond Massé—were the very -first members of their famous order to engage in the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P25"></a>25}</span> -work of converting the North-American Indians. -You will see as our story progresses what a terrible -and dangerous task this was, and how it demanded -men of boundless zeal and courage to undertake it. -</p> - -<p> -Under the circumstance, quarrels were to be -expected; and quarrels enough came. The Jesuits -at Court, finding Poutraincourt insubordinate, seized -the trading vessels destined for Port Royal on one -pretext or another, and brought about so many -imprisonments and lawsuits, that at last -Poutraincourt was ruined. No longer could he send out -supplies of provisions, and his people at Port -Royal had to subsist through a whole winter upon -acorns, beech-nuts, and wild roots. When Madame -de Guercheville and her Jesuit friends had thus -crippled poor Poutraincourt, she withdrew the priests -to other localities named in her charter, over which -she really supposed she had control. As for the -sturdy old sagamore, Membertou or Chief Henri, -he soon breathed his last. On his deathbed he -prayed to be buried with his forefathers, but of -course the priests overcame his scruples, and his -wrinkled body was laid in the little cemetery at -Port Royal. -</p> - -<p> -You may be interested to know what were -the French Jesuit rights in North-America. The -charter the young king, or rather the Queen -Dowager, gave to Madame de Guercheville actually -included nearly all the territory from the -St. Lawrence River to Florida. Was there no one at -hand to remind the crafty Marie that the continent -she thus complacently handed over was not hers or -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P26"></a>26}</span> -her son's to bestow; that the English had a far better -right than the French to its possession; that in that -very year an English colony had been settled in -Virginia, chartered by King James the First of -England? Curious to relate, the land which the -English king granted was as wide in extent, in truth -it was almost the very same region as that claimed -by the French. So here we have the cause and -beginning of a quarrel which occasioned seas of bloodshed, -and was to last, very nearly without interruption, -for just a century and a half, between the French -and the English colonists in North-America. -</p> - -<p> -In the spring of 1613 the Jesuits despatched a -new expedition under a courtier named La Saussaye, -who, having landed at Port Royal to take on board -the two priests there, sailed on and founded a -new colony at Mount Desert, now in the American -State of Maine. They had just commenced to -erect buildings and put up the walls of a fort, when, -greatly to their surprise, a strange war-ship appeared -in the little harbour. It drew nearer, and they saw, -with misgivings, the blood-red cross of St. George -floating from the mast-head. The captain of the -war-ship turned out to be Samuel Argall, a young -and daring English mariner, who had joined his -fortunes to those of Virginia. While he was -cruising with sixty men off the coast of Maine on the -lookout for codfish, some friendly Indians boarded -the ship and told him that French intruders were -hard by, building a fort. By no means a kind, -indulgent young man was Argall, and his eyes -kindled angrily. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P27"></a>27}</span> -</p> - -<p> -"Oho!" he exclaimed, with an oath, "how dare -these rascals venture into King James, my master's -territory!" Whereupon, stimulated by hopes of -plunder, he unmuzzled his fourteen cannon and -assaulted and sacked the yet defenceless French -settlement, killing several, including one of the -priests, and making prisoners of the rest. This done, -he destroyed every trace of the colony. Fifteen -Frenchmen, including La Saussaye, he turned adrift -in an open boat, while the others he took back -with him to Virginia. Those whom Argall abandoned -to their fate would surely have perished had it -not been for friendly Indians, who gave them -food and helped them on their way north. There -they eventually met a trading vessel and were -carried back to France. As to the prisoners, on -landing at Jamestown they were treated as pirates -by the English settlers there. Although afterwards -released, the Virginian governor, Sir Thomas Dale, -was so incensed at hearing from one of them about -Port Royal, that he bade Argall return, with three -armed ships, and sweep every Frenchman out of -Acadia. Argall carried out his instructions only too -well; he set fire to the fort and settlement of Port -Royal, and in a few hours the entire place, the gallant -Poutraincourt's hope and pride, was a mass of smoking -ruins. Luckily for themselves, most of the French -happened to be away in the forest at the time, and -so saved their lives. Some took permanent refuge -with the Indians, and amongst these was young -Biencourt. Others found their way to the colony -which, as we shall now narrate, Champlain had by -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P28"></a>28}</span> -this time formed far away at Quebec. But it was all -over with Port Royal, at least for the present. -With a heavy heart Poutraincourt sailed away to -France, and soon afterwards in battle laid down his -life for his sovereign. -</p> - -<p> -So ends the first chapter in the story of that part -of Canada then called Acadia. We will return to it -again, for the adventurous young Biencourt is still -there roaming in the woods with a handful of -faithful followers, ready to found Port Royal anew. -In the meantime what was happening to Champlain, -who a few years before had sailed a thousand miles -up the mighty St. Lawrence to found a colony? It is -high time that we should now turn to his adventures. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap03"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P29"></a>29}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER III -<br /><br /> -OF THE DOINGS OF GALLANT CHAMPLAIN -</h3> - -<p> -When the Sieur de Monts abandoned Acadia, -thinking, as indeed it seemed, an evil spell had -been cast upon it, he turned his attention to Quebec -and the river St. Lawrence. Here, far inland, was a -fair region which promised wealth and glory, and -over this region he appointed Champlain his -lieutenant. Of the two ships which De Monts -fitted out one was for the fur trade, of which King -Henry, ere his heart was pierced by the dagger of -Ravaillac, gave him a monopoly for one year; the -other was to carry colonists to found a new French -settlement. You have seen how one after another -the French colonies had, from this cause or that, -come to destruction; but with such a wise and -strong head as Samuel de Champlain, one now was -expected to bear better and more lasting fruit. -Truly, whatever their faults, the founders of New -France were very determined men, arising fresh -after each disaster, resolved to people with their -countrymen the great Western wilderness. When -Champlain's ships, once safely through the Straits of -Belle Isle, reached Tadoussac, Champlain left there -his associate Pontgravé to barter for furs with the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P30"></a>30}</span> -Indians. He himself continued his voyage up the -river until he came to the spot where Jacques -Cartier had passed the winter of 1535, and with his -men consumed a whole spruce-tree in order to drive -away the scurvy. -</p> - -<p> -It was at Quebec (a word meaning in the Indian -language a strait) that on the third day of July -1607 Champlain gave orders to disembark. In the -shadow of the towering rock of Cape Diamond, the -first thing to be done was to clear a site and erect -cabins for shelter. As his men toiled on unceasingly -the natives gathered round in wonder and admiration. -They were unaccustomed to much manual work -themselves, their squaws doing most of the labour. -They saw in a few short weeks the bastions of a fort -and cannon set up. Scarcely had the workmen -completed their task and got all snug and tidy for -the winter than a plot was formed amongst some of -Champlain's followers to kill him. The leader of -the plot was a Norman locksmith, Jean Duval, a -brave and violent fellow who had served with -Champlain in Acadia, and was impatient under any -kind of authority. According to the plan the -conspirators drew up, their leader was to be shot, the -stores pillaged, and then they were all to fly to Spain -with the booty. Lucky it was for the great and -good pioneer that one of the plotters, filled with -remorse, went to Champlain a few days before the -mutiny was to be carried out and confessed all. -Champlain with great promptitude seized Duval and -hanged him to the nearest tree, but the rest he only -sent back to France, where the good King, at his -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P31"></a>31}</span> -request, pardoned them. Meanwhile Pontgravé had -collected and sailed away with his cargo of furs. -Spring came; the snows melted and were replaced -by green meadows and blossoming trees; everywhere -the birds sang. Champlain, without waiting for -Pontgravé's return, set off up the river and soon -met again friendly Indian chiefs of the Algonquin -and Huron tribes, who told him terrible tales of -their sufferings at the hands of their enemies the -Iroquois or the Five Nations. In their despair these -chiefs sought out the Man-with-the-Iron-Breast, as -they called Champlain, on account of the steel -breast-plate he wore, and asked his help against the -blood-thirsty Iroquois. These men of the Five Nations, -Mohawks, Senecas, Cayugas, Onondagas, and Oneidas, -lived in the forests south of Lake Ontario, and were -perhaps at once the most intelligent and the most -cruel of all the Indians on the continent. It was the -Iroquois who had destroyed the old Huron towns of -Stadacona and Hochelaga which Cartier had seen -and described, and as they bore the Hurons and -Algonquins an implacable enmity, it was natural that -they would extend this enmity to the pale-faces who -had now come to dwell in the Huron country. -They might, it is true, have been propitiated; but -Champlain did not stop to consider any questions of -policy: he favoured at once the idea of alliance with -the surrounding red-men, an alliance which was to -cost him and his new colony a bloody and fearful -price. Champlain, then, made three warlike -expeditions into the country of the Iroquois during the -next six years. In the first he paddled in canoes -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P32"></a>32}</span> -up the Richelieu River and came to a beautiful lake, -to which he gave his own name ("Lake Champlain"). -Meeting a party of Iroquois of the Mohawk nation -or tribe, he fell upon them suddenly. The Mohawks -fancied at first that they had only to do with -Algonquins, and felt confident of victory, until the -Frenchmen's muskets rang out; then not fast enough -could they flee in panic from the magic bullets, -leaving many slain, including their bravest chiefs. -Champlain had only 60 Frenchmen and Indians, -while the Mohawks numbered 200; but his victory -was complete; not one of his force was killed, and -the town of the enemy was wiped from the face of -the earth. Notwithstanding Champlain's protests, -the Algonquins insisted on torturing one of their -Iroquois captives to death by every device of savage -cruelty. Mercy was not in their code; they neither -gave it, nor, when captured, expected it. -</p> - -<p> -During the next three years Champlain was kept -very busy in explorations, in attacking the Iroquois, -and in protecting his colony. During this time he -returned to France, and was favourably received at -Fontainebleau by King Henry, who listened with -interest to Champlain's tale of his adventures in -"New France." But in spite of royal favour, -Champlain had so many rivals and enemies that, like -Poutraincourt in Acadia, he found it impossible to -get the charter renewed, and so his friend and patron, -De Monts, was obliged to try and get along without -it. Equipping two more ships, he sent Champlain -back with them to Canada. -</p> - -<p> -The great ambition of Champlain's soul was to -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P33"></a>33}</span> -find a passage through the continent to China. At -last it seemed to him that the friendliness of the -Hurons and Algonquins would furnish him with the -means of attaining this desire. He had just made -arrangements with the chiefs, when the news came -to him of King Henry's assassination, and he felt -it was necessary for him to return without delay -again to France. De Monts, his patron, still enjoyed -the title of Lieutenant-General of New France, but -his resources and influence had been sadly crippled -by the King's death, and the cost of keeping up -Quebec, Tadoussac, and Acadia was very great. He -had no longer the monopoly, that is to say, the sole -right of buying and selling Canadian furs—it was -a right thrown open to other traders; and when -Champlain on his next voyage back from France -once more sailed up the St. Lawrence, he found -many strange fur-traders trafficking with the savages. -</p> - -<p> -The leader had now more to do and think about -than ever; he wished, moreover, to prepare a fitting -home for a fair and youthful partner who was ever -in his thoughts. During his absence in Paris he had -espoused a charming Huguenot girl named Helen -Bouillé, daughter of the murdered King's private -secretary. Her name survives to-day in "Helen's -Island" in the river opposite Montreal. So many -traders did Champlain find in the vicinity of this -island, that he built a fort there and resolved to turn -the site of Hochelaga into a trading station. Two -uneventful years passed by, and then, in the very -year Argall was destroying hapless Port Royal -(1613), Champlain's imagination was kindled by the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P34"></a>34}</span> -astonishing tale of a certain Nicholas Vignau. This -adventurer had passed a winter amongst the -red-men of the upper Ottawa River. Vignau told his -chief that, in company with some Algonquins, he had -once arrived at a remote sea-shore, where his eyes -had beheld the fragments of a wrecked English ship. -Champlain's heart bounded with joy; he thought -his hopes were now about to be realised. Taking -Vignau, two white followers, and an Indian guide, -the explorer passed the dangerous rapids of the -Ottawa and made the acquaintance, one after -another, of its lakes, cataracts, and islands. He -pressed on, passed the Rideau (Curtain) Falls, so -named because of the resemblance of this sheet of -water to a great white curtain. He and his -awe-struck companions stared at the raging, foaming -cauldron of the Chaudière, close to where the city -of Ottawa, capital of the Canadian Dominion, now -stands, while the Indians cast into the waters gifts -of tobacco and other things to propitiate the angry -god of the waters. At last the party reached -Allumette Island. Here dwelt a friendly Algonquin -chief named Tessouat, who received the Frenchmen -hospitably and invited them to a banquet. Tessouat -knew Vignau; he knew also how he had passed his -time amongst the men of his tribe. So when -Champlain related at the feast what Vignau had -told him of his journey to the sea-shore, Tessouat -bluntly told his guest that Vignau, though a -pale-face, was a liar, and that he had never been on such -a journey. For a while the shock of this discovery -overwhelmed Champlain with rage and sorrow. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P35"></a>35}</span> -Tessouat was so indignant at the way the French -leader had been deceived, that he wanted Vignau to -be put to death, but Champlain was of too noble -and forgiving a nature for that, and contented -himself with rebuking the offender. At the same time, -although Vignau confessed his falsehood, we are able -to see to-day a certain foundation for his story which -was obscured from Canada's founder. We happen -to know now what Champlain centuries ago did not -dream of: that only three hundred miles separate -Allumette Island from the southern end of the great -inland sea, Hudson's Bay. This body of water two -or three brief seasons before had been discovered by -an Englishman, who, like Champlain, had tried to -find a short route to China and the East Indies. -</p> - -<p> -In 1610 Henry Hudson, in the pay of the Dutch, -sailed up the river which now bears his name, and -paved the way for the Dutch colony, afterwards -called the New Netherlands. A year later, in the -service of England, he sailed northwards in the <i>Half -Moon</i>, passed through the narrow Hudson's Straits, -and so on into the ice-bound inland sea. There his -terrified crew mutinied, turning their brave -commander adrift in an open boat, together with his son -and two of his faithful companions. Thus perished -Henry Hudson, who was never heard of again. As -for the craven mutineers, when they stole back -guiltily to England, they were seized and made to -pay the penalty of their crime. Three ships were -sent out to search for Hudson, but, alas, it was then -too late. -</p> - -<p> -Of this inland sea Vignau may have heard stories -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P36"></a>36}</span> -from the Indians. It may be that those who told -him had really seen the wreck of poor Henry -Hudson's boat on the shores, but this we shall never -really know until the great Day of Judgment comes, -when the sea gives up its dead and all secrets of the -deep are known. -</p> - -<p> -In the discovery of Lake Ontario, two years later, -Champlain found some compensation for his -disappointment. He was the first European to visit -the "freshwater sea," as he called it. He penned a -description of all he had seen, and carried it to France, -where it was eagerly read. One of Champlain's -mottoes was that "the salvation of a single soul -was worth more than the conquest of an Empire." Up -to now Quebec had been wholly without priests, -but when Champlain returned to the colony he -brought out four priests of the Order of the Recollets, -pious men who had taken vows of poverty and -self-denial. These set about converting the savages to -Christianity. One of them, Joseph Le Caron, went -forward to the distant Huron country, which had not -yet been visited by any European. Champlain -himself accompanied the priest from Quebec. On -reaching the rapids just above Montreal, the Governor -held a conference with the Hurons, who had come -from their homes in the West to meet him and -induce him to fulfil his pledge to attack the Iroquois. -This expedition was one of the most fateful episodes -in Champlain's life. He knew nothing about -Iroquois history or character. If he had had any -suspicion of what his present action was to cost his -countrymen in Canada, he would rather have died -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P37"></a>37}</span> -than provoke the enmity of so terrible a foe. -Champlain chose this time to take a most -round-about route, measuring full 300 leagues, he and -his men often carrying on their backs the canoes -and baggage, living on coarse food, and suffering -many hardships. Even the priest was obliged to -take his share of the hardest work, paddling his -oar until the sweat mantled his brow, staggering -through the forest with a load such as a mule might -carry, and with it all obliged, with the whole party, -to hasten at full speed for fear of falling behind -into the hands of Iroquois. In those days when -there were no roads and hardly even any long paths, -travellers made their way by following the rivers and -lakes in canoes. When they came to the end of one -waterway and wished to reach the beginning of -another, they followed what were called the portages -or carrying-places, paths in the woods, sometimes -only a few yards long and sometimes as long as nine -or ten miles. -</p> - -<p> -For many weeks did Champlain sojourn in the -Huron country, and then, in early autumn, he -departed from their chief town, Carhagonha, on Lake -Simcoe, with several hundred red warriors, to inflict -chastisement on the painted warriors of the Five -Nations. -</p> - -<p> -Crossing Lake Simcoe, Champlain and his followers -travelled slowly and with much hardship through the -country north of Lake Ontario, until by this very -roundabout route the whole party came in a month's -time to the fort of the Onondagas, which they -intended to attack. As they drew near, the French -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P38"></a>38}</span> -and Indians fell in with outlying bands of this tribe, -capturing many prisoners. Champlain strove -unceasingly to induce his Huron allies to show mercy -to the captives, but the Indian warrior always deemed -mercy a pitiful sign of weakness. He wanted not -only to cut off the hands and feet of the male -prisoners, gouge out their eyes and burn them alive, -but to torture the women and children as well. -Only was it when Champlain threatened to withdraw -his French soldiers altogether that the Huron chiefs -consented to confine their barbarities to the men -alone. When the allies got closer to the Onondaga -fort they found it was much more strongly defended -than they had supposed. It consisted of four rows -of strong stakes, and a thick wall made of heavy -branches of trees. On the top of this wall were -gutters of wood to conduct water to any part which -the enemy should set on fire. The water was drawn -from a small pond inside the fortification, where all -the Onondagas were assembled in little houses, -having a large store of bows and arrows, stones and -hatchets. Provisions, too, were plentiful, for the -Indian harvest was just over. Champlain saw at -once that to take such a fort was not an easy task, -and advised his Indian allies to be prudent. But the -young Hurons were foolhardy and rushed at the -four-fold palisade with ear-splitting war-whoops, -flourishing their tomahawks. The consequence was as -Champlain foresaw: they were shot down or killed -by a shower of stones by the enemy. After a time, -when they had lost heavily, the Hurons were ready -to listen to reason. A plan was devised. In the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P39"></a>39}</span> -night-time Champlain had a high wooden platform -built; upon it he placed several of his musketeers so -that they could fire into the fort, while 300 Hurons -were stationed close by to set fire to the palisade. -These measures might have succeeded, but the wind -unluckily was in the wrong direction and blew the -flames of the Huron torches away from the fort. -Champlain himself, while trying to make the unruly -Hurons obey his orders, was twice wounded, and many -of his followers were killed. Then it was that the -foolish Huron chiefs became disheartened. They -lost faith in the "Man -with -the -Iron -Breast" and -decided to give up the attempt and retreat -homewards before the winter set in. In vain Champlain -besought them; they were obdurate. As it was, -when they got to the place, eighty miles away, where -their canoes had been left, high winds and -snowstorms had begun, and their wounded, including -Champlain, suffered much. Solemnly had they -promised the French leader that after the attack on -the Iroquois they would carry him down the -St. Lawrence to Hochelaga, but now they became -traitors to their word and refused him even two -guides for such a journey. There was nothing else -to do: Champlain was obliged to go back with them -and spend the whole of the succeeding winter in -their lodges. On the way they made many halts -to allow the Hurons time to procure stores of fish -and game, which were very plentiful in the region -north of Lake Ontario. Not until two days before -Christmas was the journey ended. -</p> - -<p> -Champlain was not idle that winter, for when his -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P40"></a>40}</span> -wounds had healed he moved amongst the tribes, -making himself acquainted with the country and the -language. The woods were filled with June flowers ere -he returned to Quebec, where he had been mourned -as one dead. You can imagine how rejoiced were the -band of martial pioneers there to see their leader once -more alive and well. They cheered and sang songs -and waved flags in his honour, and even discharged -the great cannon, whose echoes startled the Indians -prowling afar on the green banks of the St. Lawrence. -</p> - -<p> -Verily the part which Samuel de Champlain and -his little band of Frenchmen had played in giving -armed assistance to the Hurons and Algonquins was -to have terrible results. It threw the Iroquois into -friendship with the Dutch and other enemies of the -French, who supplied them with firearms. It caused -them to bear a hate to Champlain and all his -countrymen almost as great as the hate they bore -to the dusky Hurons. -</p> - -<p> -All this time Champlain, great as was his -ambition, can only be regarded as the agent or -manager of a company of men in France whose first -wish was to make money out of the fur trade. These -men in their hearts had very little sympathy for -Champlain's schemes of colonisation and conversion -of the savages, and, becoming dissatisfied with the -profits Champlain was making for them, they tried -repeatedly to procure his recall. In order to baffle -the intrigues against him and explain to the King -himself the importance of Canada to the kingdom of -France, Champlain sailed away yet again for home, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P41"></a>41}</span> -leaving sixty men, the entire French population of -Canada, behind him in Quebec. By his zeal and -eloquence he was able to obtain some fresh supplies -for his colony, and also some more soldiers and -workers. Amongst these was an apothecary named -Louis Hébert, who is often spoken of as the first -emigrant to Canada, because he took with him his -wife and two children, intending to settle as a farmer -on the land. Direct descendants of Hébert are -alive in Canada to this day. Two years later -Champlain managed to bring a body of eighty -colonists out to New France, and the next year -(1620) his own wife, Helen de Champlain, accompanied -him for the first time to the colony. This -time he had triumphed over those who wished to -depose him, and was now confirmed in his title of -Viceroy of New France, and all seemed in the general -rejoicings on his return to promise well for his -enterprise. Not only the French in Quebec, but -the Indians were delighted at the beauty and -manners of the Governor's wife, then only twenty-two -years of age. They tell of her that she wore -always a small mirror suspended from her neck, -according to the custom of the ladies in those days. -When the red-men who drew near her looked in -the little mirror they saw each, to his astonishment, -his own face reflected there, and went about telling -one another that the beautiful wife of the white chief -cherished an image of each in her heart. -</p> - -<p> -Once in Quebec, Champlain lost no time in laying -the foundation of a Government House, since known -as the Château of St. Louis, reared on the heights of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P42"></a>42}</span> -the rock. This building came to be the residence -of every succeeding Governor of Canada for two -hundred years, until one night it was wholly -destroyed by fire and never rebuilt. In the year it -was begun, too, the Recollet priests began to build -their convent, and other large buildings arose. -</p> - -<p> -So now you see quite a flourishing little town -was fast growing up in the midst of the Canadian -wilderness. But with the advancement of his -schemes came many new troubles for the lion-hearted -Champlain. In the first place, the Indians -had acquired a passion for strong drink—"fire-water" -they called it,—and although people of their fierce, -reckless disposition should never have been allowed -to touch a drop, yet the fur-traders were so callous -and greedy as to be always ready to supply them -with gallons and hogsheads of the fatal brandy. -The consequences were what might have been -expected, and Champlain was very angry as he -looked upon the scenes of riot and bloodshed. But -his efforts to keep liquor from the Indians only made -the traders hate him more bitterly. To this source -of anxiety was added another: the bloodthirsty -feud between the Iroquois and the Algonquins and -Hurons, which occasioned constant bloody massacres -and made the life of the French colonists at Quebec, -Three Rivers, and Tadoussac one of never-ending -danger. On a certain night a band crept down the -St. Lawrence silently to Quebec, having sworn an -oath to wipe the city of the pale-faces from the face -of the earth. But the stone buildings, the cannon -and muskets in the hands of the determined Frenchmen -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P43"></a>43}</span> -daunted them and they beat a retreat. Not -to be wholly balked of blood, they fell upon the -Algonquins, who were bringing furs to Quebec, -slaughtering them without mercy. Then there were -plots against Quebec, even amongst the tribes which -Champlain considered friendly, for savages were, and -ever will be, fickle, and often the most trifling -incident will tempt them to treachery. -</p> - -<p> -Meantime Champlain's friends in France, the -associated merchants, had lost their fur-trading -monopoly because they had failed to fulfil their -pledges. In consequence of this, the monopoly was -handed over by the King to two Huguenot gentlemen, -William and Emery de Caen, an uncle and nephew. -The uncle was a merchant and the nephew was a -sea captain, and, although Protestants themselves, -they were charged not to settle any but Catholics in -the colony. This arrangement turned out a very -bad one. The Huguenots and Catholics quarrelled in -New France, as they had been quarrelling in Old -France, and finally, so violent grew the disputes, that -the King joined the two associations into one under -the title of "the Company of Montmorency," with -Champlain still as Viceroy. Matters thereafter went -so much more smoothly that Champlain decided to -take the opportunity of paying another visit to his -native country. With him he took his beautiful -young wife, Helen de Champlain, who had had nearly -five years amongst the Indians and the rough -fur-traders, and had endured many hardships and faced -many dangers. You must bear in mind that when -she sailed away she left behind only fifty of her -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P44"></a>44}</span> -fellow-countrymen in Quebec. This is a very small -number, but they were for the most part very much -in earnest, very hardy and rugged, and inspired by -Champlain in a strong belief in the future of the -country. Before we have finished our history you -will see whether that belief was justified or not. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap04"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P45"></a>45}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER IV -<br /><br /> -ROMANCE OF THE TWO DE LA TOURS -</h3> - -<p> -Two years did the doughty hero Champlain linger in -Old France. To everybody he met, king, courtier, -priest, and peasant, he had but one subject: Canada, -never ceasing all this while to urge the needs of the -colony across the sea and to further its interests by -tongue and pen. It needed all his influence. The -Duke of Montmorency, becoming disgusted by the -perpetual squabbles of the merchants, sold his rights -as patron of Canada to the Duke de Ventadour, a -religious enthusiast, whose passion was not trade nor -settlement, but saving human souls. Although bred -a soldier, he had actually entered a monkish order, -vowing to spend the rest of his days in religious -exercises, and it was this nobleman who now sent -out to Quebec the first little body of Jesuit priests, -five in all, that arrived in that colony. Now these -Jesuits were the very last people either Champlain -or the Huguenots wanted in Canada. They -belonged to a very powerful, crafty order. They -could sway both king, queen, and minister to their -wishes. De Caen and the Huguenot traders received -the five priests when they arrived at Quebec as -coldly as Poutraincourt had done in Acadia, but the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P46"></a>46}</span> -Recollets generously gave them shelter in their -convent until they could build one for themselves. -This they soon did on the very spot where, ninety -years before, Jacques Cartier had laid out his little -fort. These five priests were destined to have some -thrilling experiences and to meet with terrible ends, -all of which you shall hear in due time. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile Champlain at home in France saw -with eagle eye that Huguenot and Catholic could -never live together in peace across the wide waste of -waters. They were always quarrelling. The colony -did not grow as it should, in spite of the fact that in -a single year 22,000 beaver skins were sent by the -De Caens to France. Nor was religion attended to -as devoutly as he thought the Huguenots ought to -attend to it. But perhaps this was because the -Huguenots did not acknowledge the authority of -the Pope. So he wrote strongly to De Caen -about it, and the letter fell into the hands of the -most powerful, most crafty man of that era, far -more powerful than King Louis the Thirteenth -himself. Cardinal Richelieu was the King's Prime -Minister. Having at length accomplished great -things for his master in France, Richelieu now -turned his attention to Canada. With a stroke of -the pen he abolished the monopoly of the De -Caens and founded the "Company of the Hundred -Associates," with himself at the head. Thence-forward -no Huguenot was to be permitted to enter -the colony under any conditions. The new Company -was given a perpetual monopoly of the fur trade and -control of other commerce, besides being made lord of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P47"></a>47}</span> -an enormous territory extending from the Arctic -Ocean to Florida. Moreover, the Company was -bound to send out at once a number of labourers and -mechanics and 4000 other colonists. Champlain was -made one of the Associates, and continued in his -command of Quebec. Canada was now to be -governed directly by the King, just as if it were one -of the provinces of Old France, and nobles were to -be created who would take their titles from their -estates. -</p> - -<p> -All then seemed bright and rosy for the colony -on the St. Lawrence. But the best-laid plans, you -know, "gang aft agley"; Richelieu, with all his -strength and cunning, had no power over English -ships, and English sailors would only laugh at his -pretensions. At the very moment when Champlain -saw all his hopes about to be realised, the most cruel -blow that had yet fallen fell upon him. War had -been declared between France and England, and -King Charles of England, seeing his American -colonies already prosperous, wished to extend his -royal sway over the whole continent. Thus, while -the little band of Frenchmen in Quebec were nearly -starving, owing to supplies running short during the -winter of 1628, and were straining their eyes for the -arrival of the great fleet of eighteen ships sent out by -Richelieu, an English admiral sailed coolly up the -St. Lawrence. Sir David Kirke commanded a stout -little fleet for King Charles, and it occurred to him -that it would be very good policy to capture Quebec. -Imagine the dismay of Champlain, the priests, the -traders, farmers, and soldiers of the colony when, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P48"></a>48}</span> -having waited for succour until long past midsummer, -the oncoming ships turned out to be English, and -they received a summons from the English admiral to -surrender! How weak his fort was Champlain well -knew, but that did not prevent him from replying -firmly and with dignity to the summons, saying that -he would defend his post until death. Secretly he -hoped that the French fleet he expected would come -in time. Although he intended to take Quebec, -Kirke did not press his advantage just then. He had -now a far better plan: to lie and wait for this same -French fleet, and cripple the colony in that way. -His reward duly came. Off Gaspé, Kirke met the -squadron from France, and after a fierce struggle -captured all the ships but one, together with much -booty. -</p> - -<p> -What a plight was the brave Champlain now in! -Cut off from all communication with France, for at -least ten months must his forlorn band wait before -assistance could arrive. He set to work to grapple -with the difficulty by sending all his men farming, -and hunting, and fishing. Very little land was cleared -as yet; it hardly seemed worth while clearing it as -long as the dreaded Iroquois were allowed to shoot -the farmers as they worked, and afterwards to swoop -down and burn up the crops. Worst of all to -Champlain's mind, the Hurons and Algonquins -whom he had befriended chose such a time as this -to manifest their enmity to him. Instead of -helping, they refused him succour. But food of some -sort must be got. He set his people digging up wild -roots in the woods, and despatched a boat down the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P49"></a>49}</span> -river to search the gulf for a friendly trader or -fisherman who would give them dried codfish. At the -end of a long year of hardship, when no French ship -came to his relief, Champlain was ready, in sheer -desperation, to march his hungry little garrison against -the Iroquois, capture one of their towns, and pillage -it of corn. But before he could really carry out this -dangerous scheme the English admiral once more -showed his face in the St. Lawrence. This time it -seemed far better to surrender to such an enemy as -the English than to perish miserably from starvation -in the wilderness. Kirke offered honourable terms, -and Champlain, perceiving how utterly useless was -resistance, gave up for a time the fort, magazine, and -dwellings of Quebec. On the 24th July 1629 -Champlain and ten priests and a number of others -embarked on board one of the English ships to be -carried to England, and from thence to France. For -the first time in its history, the flag of England was -hoisted, amidst great cheering on the part of the lusty -English mariners, over Quebec. -</p> - -<p> -You must not suppose the English abused their -victory. All the settlers who chose were allowed -to remain on their property. Lewis Kirke was -installed as English Governor, and treated all with -kindness, giving them bounteous provisions. -</p> - -<p> -On the way down the river the ship bearing away -Champlain met, near Tadoussac, Emery de Caen, -returning with supplies for Quebec. Too late! -Kirke turned his guns on the Frenchmen, and De -Caen was forced at the cannon's mouth to surrender. -But although he did so, young De Caen told the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P50"></a>50}</span> -Englishman that which completely spoilt Kirke's rest -that night. "I have heard," quoth De Caen, "that -peace hath been declared between the two Crowns, -and that when you captured Quebec and the sixteen -French ships, King Louis and King Charles had been -friends for a good two months. You have, therefore, -done a gross and unlawful thing." -</p> - -<p> -De Caen spoke not falsely, for so it turned out to -be. When Kirke anchored in Plymouth harbour he -learnt, to his chagrin, that peace had really been made -some time before, and that all conquests from France -must be restored. The doughty, scarred old Governor, -Champlain, posted in hot haste to London, and -unfolded the tale of Quebec's surrender to King Louis' -ambassador. But, strange as it may appear, King -Louis was in no hurry to get back Quebec into his -hands again. It seemed to His Majesty, fond of his -ease and pleasure, that all Canada was far more -trouble than it was worth. The capture of Quebec -did not mean the loss of the whole of New France. -Several places in Acadia still belonged to King Louis, -besides the Island of Cape Breton. But even these -possessions only seemed to promise more expense and -bloodshed and wrangling. -</p> - -<p> -In the meanwhile another personage—a Scotsman—had -appeared on the scene and laid claim to a -large part of the country. Sir William Alexander -was a man of letters and a successful courtier. -Being a great favourite of old King James the -First, as long ago as 1621 that monarch had listened -graciously to Alexander when he averred that, by -reason of Cabot's discoveries, the whole North-American -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P51"></a>51}</span> -Continent belonged to England by right. -"As there is already a New England, your Majesty -should go further and found a New Scotland." King -James desired nothing better. He gave Sir William -a grant of the Acadian Peninsula and a great deal of -the adjoining mainland for his ambitious and patriotic -purpose. As the King was fond of Latin, instead of -New Scotland the country was christened Nova -Scotia. The English set out modestly at first to -people the country. As Sir William was satisfied -for some years in sending out a trading ship each -year to Nova Scotia and in exploring the region, -there was no fighting, or even ill-feeling, between the -French and the English. When in 1625 King James -died, King Charles not only confirmed Alexander's -charter, but actually allowed his enterprising subject -to establish an Order of Knights-Baronets of Nova -Scotia. Any wealthy and respectable person could, -by paying a certain sum towards the funds of the -new colony, obtain an estate of 18 square miles and -become a baronet; and over one hundred persons did -this, and some of their descendants are baronets in -Great Britain to this day. -</p> - -<p> -Sir William had no desire to drive away the -French settlers in Acadia, which, you remember, was -more or less in the hands of Biencourt, son of -Poutraincourt. Besides Biencourt there lived in Acadia -at this time the two La Tours, father and son. -Claude de la Tour, the father, was a brave and -courtly Huguenot. He occupied a trading post on -the borders of what is now Maine; while Charles, -his son, held a strong little fort called St. Louis, near -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P52"></a>52}</span> -Cape Sable. When Biencourt died he bequeathed -his title and all his interests in Acadia to young -Charles, because he had been his friend and -companion from boyhood. -</p> - -<p> -You have seen that soon after this a war broke -out between France and England—the war in which -Admiral Kirke captured the French fleet and -summoned Quebec to surrender. On board one of -the captured ships of the French fleet was the hope -of Acadia, in the person of Claude de la Tour. He -had gone home to France, and was now bringing out -men and arms and provisions to make Port Royal -strong enough to resist the new English pretensions -to this fair region. While the valiant Champlain -saw himself shut up starving in Quebec, Claude de la -Tour was buffeting the waves on the way to England -as Kirke's prisoner of war. De la Tour, being a -Protestant of noble birth and of charming manners, -was well received in London, and made much of. -The very best people were anxious to make his -acquaintance. He, on his side, found the English -most agreeable, and ended by courting one of the -Maids of Honour of Queen Henrietta Maria and -marrying her. Sir William Alexander quickly saw -how useful he would be, and soon had him created -a baronet of Nova Scotia. After this La Tour took -service in the English Royal Navy, and having -obtained a grant of territory in Nova Scotia, -undertook to found there an English settlement. Not -only this, but he promised to bring his son into the -English service. Sir William Alexander readily -agreed to the plan of making La Tour's son, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P53"></a>53}</span> -Charles, a baronet also, and this was accordingly -brought about. -</p> - -<p> -All this while young Charles de la Tour, rightful -lord of Acadia under Poutraincourt's charter, knew -nothing of his good fortune or of these proceedings on -the part of his father. It remained for the elder De -la Tour to break the glad news to his son. Two -ships of war were put under his orders, and in these, -with his pretty young English bride and many Scotch -colonists, the old man set sail. His task turned out -to be a far harder one than he had thought. When he -got to his destination on the other side of the Atlantic -he demanded an interview of his son, who was, -surprising to relate, most ungrateful. What astonished -him most was to find his father in command of an -English ship, and wearing the dress of an English -Admiral. Claude began by telling his son Charles of -the flattering reception he had met with in London, -and the honours that had been heaped upon him. -</p> - -<p> -"I am an English Baronet," he exclaimed, -embracing the youth, "and, what is more, so also are -you. Rejoice, therefore, at the good fortune that -has befallen us, and fly the proud blood-red cross of -St. George from yonder staff." -</p> - -<p> -But Charles, far from showing joy, seemed thunderstruck. -Disengaging himself from his sire's embraces, -he replied haughtily that "if those who sent you on -this errand think me capable of betraying my country, -even at the solicitation of a parent, they have greatly -mistaken me. I am not disposed to purchase the -honours now offered me by committing a crime. I do -not undervalue the proffer of the King of England; -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P54"></a>54}</span> -but the Prince in whose service I am is quite able to -reward me; and whether he do so or not, the inward -consciousness of my fidelity to him will be in itself a -recompense to me. The King of France has confided -the defence of this place to me. I shall maintain it, -if attacked, till my latest breath." -</p> - -<p><a id="img-054"></a></p> -<p class="capcenter"> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-054.jpg" alt="De la Tour refuses to yield his Allegiance. 1630" /> -<br /> -De la Tour refuses to yield his Allegiance. 1630 -</p> - -<p> -After this, what could the disappointed father do -but return crestfallen to his ship? After writing his -son a letter urging him to obedience, Sir Claude -bethought him of the effect of cannon and muskets -as arguments. He would bring the ungrateful youth -to reason by force. Thrice he landed his soldiers -and sailors and tried to storm Fort St. Louis; but -in vain. His men were repulsed, and soon became -disgusted with the whole enterprise. Eventually -they all repaired to Port Royal and took up settlement -with the other Scotch colonists there. It might -be supposed that in this extremity the young English -girl to whom Sir Claude had promised power and -luxury on his Nova Scotian estates would now desire -to return to England, and he begged her to do so. -But she refused. -</p> - -<p> -"I have shared your prosperity, Sir Claude," she -said gently, "I will now share your evil fortunes." -</p> - -<p> -And evil, indeed, they turned out to be. -</p> - -<p> -In 1632 came the shameful treaty of St. Germain-en-Laye, -by which Canada and Nova Scotia were -ceded back to France by King Charles, who was -afraid that by his refusal he would not receive from -King Louis the wedding dowry promised to his sister, -Queen Henrietta Maria of England. This treaty -made a great difference to the fortunes of the Frenchmen -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P55"></a>55}</span> -in the New World—to Champlain and the -De la Tours. It deprived Sir Claude of his hopes, -even of his refuge at Port Royal. Not daring or -wishing to return either to France or England, he -was obliged to throw himself on his son's protection. -Charles gave him and his pretty stepmother a house -hard by Fort St. Louis. He was rewarded. The -story of Charles de la Tour's loyalty reached the ears -of his monarch, who graciously made him a Lieutenant-Governor, -and sent out men, stores, and ammunition -of war to uphold his faithful subject in the lands and -forts he had guarded so zealously. -</p> - -<p> -We must now, for a little while, leave Charles de -la Tour and his fortunes. We will return to them -anon, but meanwhile it behoves us to see what was -happening to Champlain and Quebec. You will -remember that the great Cardinal Richelieu had -placed himself at the head of the Company of the -Hundred Associates. He had made Canada a royal -province, with a nobility of its own and with Champlain -as Viceroy. The war with England and the captures -of Kirke brought this great scheme to a halt for some -years, but the treaty of St. Germain-en-Laye was -signed at last, and the Hundred Associates were -ready to begin their operations. By the end of May -1633 Champlain was back again in his fort on Cape -Diamond. This time he had with him two hundred -persons and great equipments. In his Company also -were a number of Jesuits, to take the place of the -Recollets. With such zeal did they administer their -charge that life at Quebec became pious and orderly, -and many Indian conversions to Christianity were -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P56"></a>56}</span> -made. A new fort was built at the old trading -station of Three Rivers, at the mouth of St. Maurice -River, as a protection against the Iroquois, but -otherwise not very much happened worth describing here -during the last two years of Champlain's life. The -veteran was now but two years short of the allotted -span, and could survey the fruits of his long labours in -Canada with satisfaction. He had not, it was true, -made Canada full of towns and cities and filled her -countryside with prosperous farms and peasantry. But -he had trod out a path through the forest and had sown -the seed of future greatness. If only he had not also -sown the seed of future hatred—if only he had -made the Iroquois a friend instead of a foe! -Nevertheless, when he fell sick on Christmas Day 1635 and -his heroic spirit passed away for ever from the land he -loved, Samuel de Champlain had well earned the -name by which he is to-day called on the banks of -the St. Lawrence, the "Father of Canada." -</p> - -<p> -In his prime Champlain had a handsome countenance, -a noble and soldierly bearing, and an iron -constitution. In an age when fifty miles was -considered a great journey, he travelled many thousands -by sea and by land, crossing the ocean at least twenty -times to defend or promote the colony's interests in -Old France. His wife survived him nearly twenty -years, and having founded a convent at Meaux, in -France, became herself a nun, and as Sister Helen, -beloved by the other nuns, she died. -</p> - -<p> -After Champlain's lamented death a new Governor, -Charles de Montmagny, a pious soldier and knight -of Malta, was sent out to Canada. On his landing -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P57"></a>57}</span> -at the foot of Cape Diamond a striking scene took -place. Amidst a crowd of black-robed Jesuits and -soldiers in brilliant uniforms and the officials and -people in their gayest apparel, Montmagny knelt -down at the foot of a cross marking Champlain's grave -and cried out, "Behold the first cross that I have seen -in this country. Let us worship the crucified Saviour -in his image." The procession straightway climbed -the hill to the church, chanted the Te Deum, and -prayed for King Louis. Montmagny was a devout -believer in the Jesuits, who ruled with great severity. -If a French colonist failed to attend church regularly, -he was sent off to prison. They cared nothing for -the good things of this world; their only desire was -for the salvation of souls. It mattered nothing -to them whether the Company of the Hundred -Associates made money out of the buying and -selling of furs or not. The great ambition of the -Jesuits was to make Christians out of the Canadian -savages, however remote, and as the Iroquois -absolutely refused to be converted, and hated the -Jesuits, the priests did not hesitate to join hands -with the Hurons and Algonquins to destroy them. -So there began to rage a terrible war. The Iroquois, -who if not more numerous, were braver and fiercer than -the Hurons, swore by the great Manitou never to -bury the war-hatchet as long as a single Huron was -left alive above the ground. Assault followed assault, -the Iroquois braves coming close to the walls of -Quebec and burning and torturing their prisoners -under the very eyes of the horrified "black robes." On -their part the priests, besides being pious, were -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P58"></a>58}</span> -very brave men and cared nothing for danger. They -would push fearlessly past the Iroquois concealed in -ambush and carry the gospel amongst the most -distant tribes. After a time their letters home -describing their adventures made a great stir in -France, and a number of wealthy and influential -people came forward to help them in their great -work. It was at this time that the famous colleges -and convents and hospitals of Quebec were founded. -The Marquis de Gamache founded a Jesuit college; -another priest-nobleman, Noel de Sillery, built a -home for Indian converts; the Duchess of Aiguillon, -a niece of Cardinal Richelieu, provided the money -for the Hotel Dieu, or God's Hospital. Then there -was a wealthy young widow, Madame de la Peltrie, -who, having no children of her own, decided to devote -her life and fortune to establish a seminary for young -girls in Canada. In the summer of 1639 she arrived -in Quebec in company with Marie Guyard, a silk -manufacturer's daughter who had taken vows as a -nun and became "Mary of the Incarnation," the -Mother Superior of the Ursuline Convent. All of -these as soon as they had landed fell down and kissed -the earth and evinced great enthusiasm over their -future work. When they visited the first Indian -settlement, we are told by one of the priests that -Madame de la Peltrie and the rest embraced the -little Indian girls, "without taking heed whether -they were clean or not." Yet at home in Paris these -fine ladies would probably not have cared to take the -poor dirty little French children to their bosoms. -</p> - -<p> -The Jesuits quickly spread themselves everywhere. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P59"></a>59}</span> -No hardship, no danger, no cold was too -great for them. Amongst the Huron Indians they -soon found their greatest success. There -numbered 30,000 Hurons before disaster befell them, -considered the most intelligent and progressive of -the Canadian Indians. Three fathers, led by the -indomitable Jean de Brébeuf, went forth to establish -missions amongst them. Brébeuf came of a noble -family in Normandy, a tall strong man, who seemed -born for a soldier. He could perform wonderful -feats of strength and endurance. He penetrated the -wilderness in spite of every obstacle, and established -a mission at Thonatiria, on Georgian Bay. At first -the Jesuits were opposed by the tribe, who foolishly -regarded all their sacraments and services as the -deeds of sorcerers. Whenever any evil happened to -any of them, when the crops were frost-bitten, or even -when a child fell ill, the Hurons put it all down to -the incantations of the "Black Robes," as they called -the missionaries. But gradually the Jesuits lived -down all such prejudice. The Hurons saw they were -strong, wise men, and at last placed themselves -unreservedly in their hands. While the Jesuit -fathers made their central station at St Mary on -the Wye, a little river emptying into Matchedash -Bay, they founded other missions, St. Louis, -St. Jean, St. Michael, St. Joseph, in all the country -round about. In course of a very few years the -missionaries came almost to be the rulers of all the -tribes there settled. But the Iroquois hate against -the Hurons was fast fanning into flame. Having -sworn vengeance upon them because of their alliance -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P60"></a>60}</span> -with the French, sooner or later they would find -them out, and then, alas, the most dreadful, thrilling -scenes in the whole history of Canada would happen. -While the Hurons and their ministering Jesuits -were living in fancied security in their corner of the -west, the French in Quebec and Three Rivers were -in constant dread of the Iroquois. Day by day the -redskins grew bolder. At first, terrified by the -French cannon and muskets, they did not venture -to approach too near the walls of the French forts. -But by degrees that fear wore away, and the sentries, -looking out from the bastions, would often see a -dozen or two Iroquois braves lurking about the fort -in the hopes of catching some straggler unawares and -scalping him. One day indeed they were rewarded. -Two Frenchmen named Godefroy and François -Margerie were captured and dragged away to their -lodges. The Iroquois chief, summoning all his forces, -prepared a plan. He resolved to offer peace to the -French at Three Rivers if they would give up their -Indian allies, the Algonquins, against whom and the -Hurons the Iroquois were engaged in a war of -extermination. As Margerie spoke the Indian tongue, -he was told that his life for the present would be -spared, that he was to go under a flag of truce back -to the fort at Three Rivers and offer these terms to -his countrymen. If he did not return, his -fellow-captive, Godefroy, would be tortured and slain. The -heroic Margerie did not shrink from his task. He -journeyed back to the fort and urged the Commandant -to reject so dishonourable a proposal. Then, fully -counting the cost of his action, he returned to the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P61"></a>61}</span> -Iroquois and to his companion Godefroy. Luckily -for him, in the meantime, the Governor arrived from -Quebec with soldiers to reinforce the garrison at -Three Rivers. The Iroquois perceived that it would -be hopeless now to storm the fort, and wisely decided -to accept ransom for their prisoners. So the brave -Margerie and his friend, who had boldly faced death, -were now free. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap05"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P62"></a>62}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER V -<br /><br /> -THE FOUNDING OF MONTREAL -</h3> - -<p> -Of all the great cities of the world you will not -find one that has had so romantic a beginning as -Montreal. The stories sent home by the Jesuits had -stirred all France, and made the more pious and -enterprising spirits more than ever resolved to teach -the wicked redskins a lesson in Christianity and plant -the fear of God in their hearts. The French said -they did not believe in treating the savages of the -New World in the cruel way the Spaniards had done -in Peru and Mexico; they preferred to win them -over to civilised ways by kindness and the force of -good example. -</p> - -<p> -One night a certain Jerome de la Dauversiére had -a dream after he had returned from his office in the -little town of La Flèche, in Anjou, where he was -receiver of taxes. In this dream an angel came and -told him that the surest way to win the red-men of -Canada over to Christianity was to set up a great -mission on the Island of Mount Royal. This island -in the river St. Lawrence, you remember, Jacques -Cartier had visited one hundred years before, and had -been struck not only by its beauty but by the friendliness -of the Indians who lived there. Their town they -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P63"></a>63}</span> -called Hochelaga. Since Cartier's time Hochelaga -had mysteriously vanished (probably owing to one -of the frequent redskin feuds), and the French -Governor and people of Quebec had made as yet no -settlement there. Dauversiére, who was a very holy -and zealous man, went to Paris, and to Father Olier, -a friendly priest, related his dream. It appeared that -the worthy father also had had a vision, in which -Mount Royal was pointed out as the future scene -of pious labours. Whereupon the two set to work -and formed a company of forty persons to build on -this island, 3000 miles away, in the heart of New -France, a French town, well fortified and able to -resist the onslaughts of the infidel savages. The -Company of the Hundred Associates agreed to sell -them the land, for, of course, the Hundred Associates -at this time controlled all the land of New France -under a charter from King Louis. All that the -promoters of the plan had finally to do was to find a -proper person to take charge of the new settlement, -which it was decided to call Ville Marie de Montreal, -or, as we would call it, Marytown of Mount Royal, -in honour of the Holy Virgin. They were fortunate -to find just the one they sought in Paul de Chomedy, -Sieur de Maisonneuve, a brave and pious soldier, who -was forthwith appointed the first Governor of Ville -Marie. -</p> - -<p> -With Maisonneuve, when he sailed away from -France in the spring of 1641, went Mademoiselle Jeanne -Mance. This young woman had dedicated her whole -life to nursing the sick and teaching little children, and -was to take charge of a hospital in the new colony. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P64"></a>64}</span> -</p> - -<p> -Slow sailing it was in those days, and when -Maisonneuve's ship reached Quebec the sweltering -heats of August oppressed the city. Governor de -Montmagny bade the pioneers welcome, and, after -listening to their scheme, told them flatly that he -thought it was all a mistake. Instead of venturing -their lives so far inland amongst the treacherous -Iroquois, much better was it to choose a spot nearer -Quebec for their town. But Maisonneuve and his -companions, although prevailed upon to spend the -winter in Quebec, were resolved to reach Mount -Royal, even though, as Maisonneuve said, "every -tree on the island were an Iroquois." And so in the -spring all set off boldly up the Great River. When -they saw the leader's resolution, Governor de -Montmagny, Father Vimont, Superior of the Jesuits, -and Madame de la Peltrie, head of the Ursuline -Convent, consented to accompany them in their -ship. -</p> - -<p> -On the 17th May the memorable landing took -place. All of the expedition—some fifty in -number—fell upon their knees, and from their lips fell a -prayer of thankfulness to Almighty God. But they -did not deceive themselves as to their danger. -They all knew—even the women—that there was -to be more work and fighting than praying. As yet -no treacherous red-man, tomahawk in hand, lurked -behind the tall trees, but the alarm was sure to -come, and no time was to be lost. So to the task -of chopping and hewing and hammering they flew -without delay. The site was quickly enclosed with -palisades and several cannon brought from the ship -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P65"></a>65}</span> -and put in position. As for the hospital which -Mademoiselle de Mance had been given the money -to build, it could safely be reared outside the -walls, being of stone and almost a little fortress -of itself. For two centuries and a half this -hospital withstood all the attacks of the Iroquois, -until a mighty city pressing in upon it forced it -to a peaceful surrender to the interests of trade -and commerce. -</p> - -<p> -Winter came and went. Spring found Ville -Marie quite snug and comfortable, and the -inhabitants wondering where the Iroquois were. They -had not long to wait. A solitary Algonquin one -day fled within the palisades for refuge. He told -Maisonneuve that he was being pursued by the -Iroquois, coveting his scalp. In a few hours his -pursuers had discovered Ville Marie, and, shaking -their tomahawks at its inhabitants, vowed vengeance -on the bold pale-faces who had ventured to settle in -a part of Canada which they had cruelly decreed -should for ever remain a desert. Thereafter they -patrolled the borders of the town, watching stealthily -where they might strike down man, woman, or child. -No longer was it possible in safety to sow or reap. -Nor were the wooden palisades strong enough for -protection. Stout walls and bastions were needed, -and accordingly stone was quarried across the river, -and willing hands toiled night and day to build what -was henceforth little more than a prison. When -the colony was two years old, the Iroquois summoned -all their braves. -</p> - -<p> -"Let us destroy these insolent Frenchmen," -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P66"></a>66}</span> -said their chief; "let us carry off their white girls to -drudge for us in our lodges." -</p> - -<p><a id="img-066"></a></p> -<p class="capcenter"> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-066.jpg" alt="Maisonneuve covering the Retreat of his Followers, 1644" /> -<br /> -Maisonneuve covering the Retreat of his Followers, 1644 -</p> - -<p> -Maisonneuve, hearing that they had collected a -large force, unwisely sallied out to give them battle. -It was springtime, but the deep snow had not yet -melted. The little company of French settlers, -their hearts beating high with valour and courage, -looked about for the foe. Not finding him at first, -they were drawn farther and farther into the -surrounding forest. Then it was that the redskins, -hidden behind trees, darted forth a volley of arrows, -and the founders of Ville Marie became an easy -target and fell by the dozen. They were unused to -this kind of warfare, the only kind the red-men -really knew. Maisonneuve, shocked but undaunted, -gave the signal for retreat, and the French drew -back to the walls of Ville Marie, dragging their dead -and wounded with them. Close followed the enemy -with ear-splitting yells and flourishing their -blood-stained tomahawks. Maisonneuve, pistol in hand, -was the last man to enter the gate. Just as he was -crossing the threshold an Iroquois chief sprang -forward to drag him back, but quick as the savage -was, not quick enough was he. The Governor's -pistol rang out, and the chief dropped in his tracks. -His baffled companions, shrieking in anger and -dismay, saw the gates of the little town shut, -and for that day the rest of its defenders were safe. -To-day, if you should chance to visit the great city -of Montreal, you may see the very spot where this -encounter took place. It is called the Place d'Armes, -and in the middle is a bronze statue of the brave -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P67"></a>67}</span> -Maisonneuve, on whose pedestal is a representation -of his narrow escape from death. -</p> - -<p> -Such terrible experiences were not confined to -Montreal alone, or even to Quebec and Three -Rivers. About the whole country the Iroquois -prowled like wild beasts. Especially did they -frequent the northern outlets of the Ottawa River to -waylay the friendly Hurons in their passage to the -St. Lawrence, bringing furs for barter to the French. -Observing this, Governor Montmagny set about -building a fort at the mouth of the Richelieu River, -and notwithstanding the attempts of 700 Iroquois -to destroy it and kill the workmen, it was completed -in a short time and christened Fort Richelieu. -Forced to retreat, the savages managed to carry -off with them a Jesuit priest, Father Isaac Jogues, -and two young students named Goupil and Couture, -who were coming down the river with a party -of fur-hunters. They did not kill their prisoners -at once, as they expected, but, after putting them -through a course of dreadful tortures, carried them -to the home of one of their tribes, the Mohawks. -After cutting off Goupil's thumb with a clam-shell, -so as to prolong the pain, they scalped him and flung -his body down a steep waterfall. Couture, adopted -into the tribe, turned Mohawk in order to save his -life. -</p> - -<p> -After a time Father Jogues was taken by the -Iroquois in one of their trading visits to the Dutch -of New Netherlands, now called New York. This -is the first time any of the French in Canada had -any communication with the European settlers to -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P68"></a>68}</span> -the south of them, in what are now known as the -United States. The Dutch Governor of Albany -took pity on the poor Jesuit priest and helped him -to escape. Ultimately he was sent back in a ship -to France, where he thrilled the King and Court by -the sight of his wounds and the story of his wonderful -adventures. Never once had he lost courage, but -went on baptizing Indian children and giving the -sacrament to the dying. Once when no water was -forthcoming to baptize a Huron prisoner in the -throes of death, Jogues shook off a few scant drops -of dew which still clung to an ear of maize that -had been thrown to him for food. -</p> - -<p> -After all the intrepid father's starvation and -sufferings you would think he had had enough of mission -work amongst the red-men and would remain in a -peaceful French curacy for the rest of his days. But -that is because you do not understand what kind of -men these Jesuit priests were. Undaunted by pains -or privations, they wished nothing better than to be -martyred in the cause of their religion. Isaac Jogues -went back again to Canada a year later. In his -absence the Mohawks had made peace with the -French, and the intrepid priest took up his residence -in one of their villages. When it became necessary -to visit the Governor of Quebec on business, Jogues -left behind him a small box containing a few medicine -bottles and other simple things. No sooner was the -priest's back turned than the medicine-man or sorcerer -of the tribe, who hated the missionaries because they -exposed their foolish practices, told the Mohawks -that this innocent box contained magic, which would -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P69"></a>69}</span> -bring all of them ill-luck, disease, and death. Some -believed this story, others were incredulous; so that -when Father Jogues came back, he found the village -divided on the question of killing him or sparing his -life. He was invited to a feast, which he dared not -refuse. As he entered, a tomahawk clove its way to -his brain, and the priest was made a martyr at last. -Poor brave Father Jogues was the first to suffer -martyrdom in New France. The savages cut off -his head and fastened it to a long pole, and the -savage children threw pebbles at it in sport. -</p> - -<p> -Alas, the fate of Jogues was destined to be that -of the other priests who had established missions in -the Huron country. -</p> - -<p> -"Do not imagine," wrote the Father Superior, -"that the rage of the Iroquois and the loss of many -Christians and converts can bring to nought the -mystery of the Cross. We shall die, we shall be -captured, burned, and butchered. So be it. Those -who die in their beds do not always die the best -death. I see none of our company cast down. On -the contrary, they ask leave to go up to the Hurons, -and some of them protest that the fires of the -Iroquois are one of their motives for the journey." -</p> - -<p> -In the summer of 1648 the Hurons wished very -much to pay a visit to the French in Eastern -Canada. Many canoes had they full of furs which -they could exchange for the kettles, hatchets, and -knives of the traders. They resolved, therefore, to -brave the Iroquois and make the long journey. Five -distinguished chiefs accompanied 250 of their best -warriors, and by the middle of July, Three Rivers -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P70"></a>70}</span> -was reached in safety. The Hurons ran their canoes -ashore amongst the bulrushes, and began to spread on -their war-paint and adorn themselves with feathers -and wampum so as to make a distinguished appearance -at the fort of the pale-faces. Suddenly an alarm -was sounded. The Iroquois were on their track. -Snatching their arms, the Hurons ran to meet the -foe. This time the Iroquois were outnumbered and -were defeated, and the Hurons eventually set out for -home, flushed with victory and bearing a number of -Iroquois scalps. -</p> - -<p> -At home news of a terrible disaster awaited the -victorious Hurons. Taking advantage of their -absence, the Iroquois had attacked the Huron town -of Teanaustaye, or St. Joseph, where the Jesuit, -Father Daniel, was in charge. St. Joseph was one -of the chief towns of the Huron nation; it had 2000 -inhabitants, and was surrounded by a strong palisade. -But on one fatal July day it was all but defenceless: -scarce a warrior was to be seen. The arrival of the -Iroquois flung the crowd of old men, women, and -children into a panic. Daniel, in all his radiant -priestly vestments, came to meet the foe at the church -door, undismayed by their dreadful war-whoops. -There he died. A dozen Iroquois bent their bows and -pierced him as he stood, while the chief, armed with -a gun he had bought from the Dutch, sent a bullet -through the brave priest's heart. The town was set -on fire. When the flames reached the church, -Daniel's body was thrown into it, and both were -consumed together. Nearly one thousand Hurons -were killed or taken captive. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P71"></a>71}</span> -</p> - -<p> -Eight months passed, and in the early spring-time -the Iroquois came again. This time the Indian -converts at St. Mary on the Wye saw heavy smoke -curling above the forest three miles away, and cried -out, "The Iroquois! the Iroquois! They are burning -St. Louis!" And so it was. Had the Hurons acted -with better judgment and more valour they might -have averted their doom. But ever since the massacre -and destruction of St. Joseph they seemed to have -lost spirit. The two priests who were stationed here, -Brébeuf and Lalement, did their best to arouse them, -but they would not take measures to foil an Iroquois -assault. Brébeuf and Lalement, implored to flee -while there was yet time, both scorned such counsel. -Uttering savage yells, the Iroquois swarmed towards -the palisades, hacking at them with their hatchets, -and they broke through at last, burning and -slaying. The two brave priests were seized and -stripped and beaten with clubs along the road to -St. Ignace, which post the Iroquois had also -captured. The fate of St. Mary itself was now -trembling in the balance. Here were some 40 -Frenchmen, well armed, and besides a large Huron -population, 300 more Huron braves were outside -the gates, hoping to waylay some of their victorious -foes. A battle between the two tribes of red-men -ensued, and although this time the Hurons fought -with a will, they were obliged at last to give way. -Hundreds had been killed or lay weltering in their -blood. Only twenty were captured alive by the -Iroquois. The enemy's chief was badly wounded, -and they themselves had lost a hundred of their best -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P72"></a>72}</span> -warriors in this fierce battle. You may imagine how -the French and Christian Indians shut up in St. Mary -waited for the issue of the fight. When they knew -that their outer guard was defeated, they gave -themselves over to prayer, believing all was lost. They -well knew how inflammable were their palisades -of wood. When a hundred torches came to be -applied only a miracle could save them. At this -critical moment panic seized the Iroquois camp. A -rumour had spread that a mighty army of Hurons -were descending upon them, and they resolved, in -spite of their chiefs, to retreat at once. But before -fleeing from their imaginary foe, they took nearly all -their prisoners and thrust them, bound hand and foot, -into the bark dwellings of St. Ignace. They spared -neither men nor women, young nor old, not even tiny -babes. When they had done this they applied the -torch to the town. -</p> - -<p> -Of the two priests, the giant, Jean de Brébeuf, -was led apart and fastened to a stake. From thence -he called to the others, exhorting them to suffer -patiently and God would reward them. They -tortured him, but he still stood erect, tall and -masterful, and addressed his people. For this the -angry Iroquois cut away his lower lip and thrust a -red-hot iron down his throat. Round the naked -body of Father Lalement they tied strips of bark -steeped in pitch and set him in a blaze. As if this -were not enough agony, on the heads of both they -poured boiling water and cut strips of flesh from -Brébeuf's limbs. -</p> - -<p> -"You told us," cried the fiends, laughing, "that -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P73"></a>73}</span> -the more one suffers on earth the happier he is in -heaven. We wish to make you happy. We -torment you in this way because we love you; and -you ought to thank us for it!" -</p> - -<p> -Still from Brébeuf came no sign of flinching. -Baffled in devising further tortures, they cut off his -head and tore his body in pieces. The heart of this -great man, the founder of the ill-fated Huron mission, -was seized by an Iroquois chief and devoured. His -friend Lalement, after being tortured all night, was -killed by a blow from a hatchet. -</p> - -<p> -Two or three days afterwards, when the fleeing -Iroquois were leagues away, the Jesuits at St. Mary -came to the smoking ruins of St. Ignace. The -scorched and mangled remains of the two martyrs -met their horrified gaze. These they carried back to -St. Mary and buried, all but Brébeuf's skull, which -they preserved as a holy relic. At the Hotel Dieu -at Quebec it is shown to the visitor, enclosed in a -silver bust of the martyr, which his family sent to the -good nuns from France. -</p> - -<p> -Upon the Hurons such a disaster as this told -with crushing force. Flight from their country was -all they could think of now. Two weeks later they -abandoned for ever fifteen towns to roam northward -and eastward in the barren, inhospitable wilderness. -In various places the fugitives found refuge, some -with this tribe, some with that, but as a strong, -separate nation they soon ceased to be, and the fort -and mission of St. Mary on the Wye was left solitary -in the middle of a great waste. -</p> - -<p> -All the love and labour of the Jesuit missionaries -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P74"></a>74}</span> -for ten years had been in vain. With aching hearts -the priests resolved to break up the mission and -betake themselves to some less dangerous and -more useful station. Several of them followed the -wandering Hurons, but a number of priests, with -forty soldiers and labourers, established themselves on -St. Joseph Island, at the entrance of Matchedash -Bay. It is one of three—now known as Faith, Hope, -and Charity—islands. Here they toiled, together with -a number of Huron converts, in building a stronghold -which would defy the dreaded Iroquois. Six or eight -thousand souls came to people the island. There not -being food for so many, what with hunger and disease, -by springtime half had perished. The despairing -survivors, resolving to brave the surrounding Iroquois, -who roamed on the mainland, and escape, one by one -fell into the hands of their lynx-like foes. No -refuge was there for the poor persecuted race but in -the shadow of the French guns at Quebec. -</p> - -<p> -"Take us to Quebec," cried one of the Huron -chiefs to the Jesuit fathers. "Do not wait until war -and famine have destroyed us to the last man. We -are in your hands. Death has taken more than ten -thousand of us. If you wait longer, not one will -remain alive." -</p> - -<p> -At last the Jesuits resolved to grant their -petition. On the 10th of June 1650 the whole -population of St. Joseph (or Charity) Island -embarked in canoes, which were packed with all -their earthly goods, and paddled sadly towards the -east. On the Ottawa River, which was now desolate -of native hut or wigwam, they met a large party of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P75"></a>75}</span> -French soldiers and Hurons on the way to help the -Huron mission. -</p> - -<p> -Too late! The mission, with all its forts and -settlements, had been abandoned for ever. The -entire party kept on to Montreal, where the Hurons -could not be induced to stay because it was too open -to Iroquois attacks; and about the end of July the -great heights of Quebec came in sight. All disembarked -and were hospitably received by the Governor, -the priests, the nuns, and the people. Yet the new -arrivals could not have come at a worse time, for -food was scarce and nearly all were poor. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap06"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P76"></a>76}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER VI -<br /><br /> -THE FURY OF THE IROQUOIS -</h3> - -<p> -When the poor harassed "Black Robes" and their -panic-stricken Indian charges finally rested under the -sheltering walls of Quebec, Montmagny was no longer -Governor. He had, after twelve years' service, gone -back to France, and a new Governor had arrived -in his stead. But the Indians still called the new -Governor, and all the Governors who came afterwards, -by the name of "Onontio." They were told that -Montmagny in French signified "Great Mountain," -Onontio in the Huron tongue, and supposed it was a -title bestowed by the pale-faces on all their rulers in -Canada. -</p> - -<p> -Despite the unspeakable horrors, bloodshed, and -martyrdom related in the last chapter, nothing of -lasting value was accomplished by the hapless mission -to the Hurons except a knowledge of the great Lake -Superior, which an interpreter, named Jean Nicollet, -had discovered a few years before. -</p> - -<p> -Season now followed season, and each saw the -French but little better than prisoners in their three -towns on the St. Lawrence. If they ventured very -far out of these fortified posts, it was only to give -the Iroquois a chance to spring upon them and bear -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P77"></a>77}</span> -back their scalps in triumph to their lodges in the -wilderness. The French might have made a treaty -of alliance with their English neighbours in New -England, who had now set up a number of towns -and were flourishing, although they too were at the -mercy of the surrounding savages. But the French -Governor made it a condition of the treaty that the -New Englanders should help Canada to exterminate -the terrible Iroquois. This the English colonists -were loath to do; they had no wish to bring the -Iroquois tomahawks down upon their heads also, as -the French had done; and so the plan fell through. -After a time one of the Iroquois tribes, having lost -a great many of their fighting men in the long war, -began to think of making recruits. The idea occurred -to them that the unfortunate Hurons and Algonquins, -who had joined their fortunes to the French, would -be the very men for their purpose, if they could only -induce them to desert the alliance. Forthwith they -sent courtiers to announce to the Hurons that they -no longer bore them any grudge and were willing to -adopt them—to receive them into the bosom of their -lodges. But it soon appeared that all the Iroquois -were not unanimous in their approval of this plan, and -as their treachery was well known, the Hurons and -Algonquins, now settled on the Isle of Orleans near -Quebec, naturally hesitated about accepting the offer. -The few foolish ones who trusted in Iroquois good -faith were actually tomahawked by their so-called -friends on the way to the Iroquois lodges. In -attempting to punish a band of Iroquois ambushed -near his fort, Du Plessis Bochat, the Governor of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P78"></a>78}</span> -Three Rivers, lost his life; Father Buteaux was killed -on his way to his mission, and another priest, Father -Poucet, was borne away to a Mohawk village, and -after being tortured was sent back to Quebec to offer -peace to the French. Peace was indeed welcome, -but the French were naturally still suspicious. The -truth was that the Iroquois were then too busily -engaged in destroying the Eries, a tribe which had -burned one of their most illustrious chiefs, to spare -time to massacre the pale-faces. As the chief, a -Seneca, had stood with unquivering nerve at the stake -he had cried out, "Eries, you burn in me an entire -nation!" for he knew the Senecas would avenge his -death. Much, then, as the Governor, De Lauzon, -wanted peace, neither he nor his Indian allies knew -how far they could trust the Iroquois. It was at last -decided that if the Onondagas, one of the five Iroquois -nations, would receive a Jesuit mission, a body of -Hurons should be sent under escort to be adopted -into their tribe. From the Onondagas there came a -message to say they would agree to this, and in June -1656 the expedition set out from Quebec. It consisted -of a large body of Hurons, as well as Onondagas, -fifty French soldiers, led by the brave captain, -Dupuy, and two priests, Dablon and Chaumonot. -Scarcely was the party well under way, when a band -of Mohawks fell upon them, and before they -pretended to discover that they were attacking -members of their own confederacy, they had killed -and wounded a number of Onondagas. Profuse -excuses and apologies followed, the Mohawks explaining -that they took them, the Onondagas, for Hurons. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P79"></a>79}</span> -The expedition was suffered to proceed. The truth -is, the Mohawks were jealous of the Onondagas in -obtaining an alliance with the French and Hurons. -To show their power and their contempt of the -pale-faces, they continued their journey eastward to the -Isle of Orleans, and under the very guns of the fort -of Quebec surprised the defenceless Hurons who -dwelt there, and fiercely murdered or captured all -they came upon, even the women and children. In -broad daylight they paddled their fleet of bark -canoes in front of Quebec, laughing and yelling -defiance to the French, and making their unhappy -captives join in dancing and songs of triumph. The -Governor this time was a weak man, and all he could -do was to wring his hands and regret bitterly that he -had ever sent any mission to the Onondagas. He -began to fear for their safety. -</p> - -<p> -Not wholly unfounded were the Governor's -alarms. At first all went smoothly enough with the -little band of Frenchmen in the heart of the Onondaga -country. This particular tribe of the Iroquois -appeared delighted at the coming of the French. -But quickly signs of danger began to multiply. The -pale-face soldiers grew aware that a plot was on foot -to murder them in the little fort they had built, close -to where the present prosperous city of Syracuse -now stands. Dupuy, being an able and courageous -man, resolved by some means or another to foil the -savages and escape back to Canada. This is the -stratagem he hit upon; it was the custom of these -Indians to hold mystic feasts, at which it was a point -of honour to eat everything that was set before them -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P80"></a>80}</span> -by their hosts. If a man failed to eat the whole of -a dish—even to the fifth helping—it was taken by -the host as a personal insult. Dupuy planned such a -feast, and arranged to stuff them so plentifully that -not a single brave would be capable of rising from -the banquet. The plan worked perfectly, the Indians -not observing that the French concealed most of their -food instead of eating it, so that by midnight the -gorged and drunken Onondagas were sunk in a -gluttonous sleep. Dupuy had taken good care -beforehand to build secretly within his fort a -number of large, light, flat-bottomed skiffs, and now -when dawn came the Frenchmen stole away, carrying -these with them to the Oswego River, reaching -Quebec at last, in spite of ice and rapids, with the loss -of only three men, who were drowned. The Indians -pursued, but their birch-bark canoes were useless on -the icy stream, and they had to give up the chase. -</p> - -<p> -The escape from the Onondagas was a very clever -and daring deed, and shows the material the colonists -of New France were made of in those days. A deed -still more daring and important was to follow. The -Iroquois threw off the mask and determined to deal -the French in Canada a deadly blow. A mighty -force of the Five Nations was organised, to meet at -the junction of the Ottawa and St. Lawrence rivers, -and swoop down first upon Montreal and then upon -the other settlements. It so happened that there -lived in Ville Marie at this time a young nobleman, -Daulac des Ormeaux, who chose to be known to -the other colonists as Adam Dollard. Having -left France in order to escape the consequences of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P81"></a>81}</span> -some rash act, he burned for some chance to retrieve -the honour of his name. The valiant youth now saw -with joy the long-looked-for opportunity arrive at -his door, and he obeyed the summons. From the -Governor did Dollard obtain leave to lead a party of -volunteers against the savage foe. Gathering sixteen -gallant fellows about him, all swore a solemn oath to -give or take no quarter, but by sheer force of their -arms break the force of the blow which was about to -descend on their beloved town. A mad enterprise -truly did it seem, but for sheer valour nothing finer -has been known since fearless Leonidas and his -handful of Greeks held the pass at Thermopylae. The -seventeen heroes, together kneeling, took the Sacrament -at the hands of the pale priest, and set forth for -the Long Sault (or Rapids) of the Ottawa. There -in the dense woods they found a disused old Indian -stockade by which the invading host had to pass. -Entrenching themselves as well as they could, they -waited. A few friendly Hurons and Algonquins -joined them, wondering at the hardihood of the -pale-face warriors, and shamed into lending them a -helping hand. The storm broke. A horde of 700 -screaming savages, picked men of the Iroquois, flung -themselves upon them. Easy work it seemed to -crush out this feeble band. To their astonishment, -Dollard and his men beat them back. Again and -again they came on, and again and again were they -repulsed. By this time, appalled at the fearful odds -against them, the friendly Indians had fled from the -side of the besieged, all but one Huron chief, -Annahotaha, and four Algonquins. These stood firm. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P82"></a>82}</span> -Every loophole in the stockade darted its tongue of -fire; so faultless was the aim that nearly every time -a musket rang out an Iroquois fell dead. Fortunately -Dollard had brought plenty of ammunition. -Some musketoons of large calibre, from whose -throats scraps of lead and iron belched forth, slew -and wounded several of the enemy at a single -discharge. Thus three days wore away and still -the terrible struggle came to no end. In the -intervals, by day and night, Dollard and his men -offered up prayers to Heaven on their knees in the -melting snow. Their food was now gone, and, worse -still, they had no water. No hope now remained -save to keep the Iroquois a few hours longer at bay; -they were certain only of a martyr's reward. On the -part of the besiegers so many men had they lost that -they sickened of the fight, and some amongst them -even counselled going home. But other chiefs -shrank from such a disgrace. -</p> - -<p> -"Shall we," they cried, "confess ourselves beaten -by so paltry an enemy? Our squaws would laugh -in our faces! Let us now rather band ourselves -together and storm the fort of the white men, -at whatever cost." -</p> - -<p> -A general assault was made. So high by this -time was piled the bodies of the Iroquois, that their -fellows could now leap over the stockade. Dollard -fell, and one after another of the exhausted defenders -was slain, although each fought like a madman, a -sword or hatchet in one hand and a knife in the -other. Amongst the heap of corpses one Frenchman -still breathed, and he was dragged out and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P83"></a>83}</span> -tortured. This was the end; thus perished Dollard -and his valiant sixteen, whose names are imperishably -written in the annals of Montreal. Nor did they -offer their lives to the Iroquois hatchets in vain. -The Iroquois had been taught a lesson, and to their -lodges the tribe slunk back like whipped curs. "If," -said they, "seventeen Frenchmen, four Algonquins, -and one Huron can, behind a picket fence, hold seven -hundred of our best warriors at bay, what defence -would their hundreds do behind yonder ramparts of -stone?" And so the colony of New France was -saved. -</p> - -<p> -The cowardly native allies of the French in this -fight were not to escape the penalty of their -treacherous desertion. The Iroquois turned upon them, -burning some on the spot, and making captives of -others. Five only succeeded in escaping to carry -the tale of the defence, the butchery, and the -martyrdom to Ville Marie. -</p> - -<p> -It seemed, however, as if Canada had only been -saved in order to perish from other causes. The -colony was impoverished and torn, besides, with civil -and religious dissensions. The Society of Notre -Dame of Montreal, those rich and influential persons -in France who had founded the city, now wearied of -their enterprise. It was turned over to the great -Seminary of St. Sulpicius, and a number of Sulpician -fathers were sent out to take charge and to found a -seminary in Montreal. Amongst these was the -Abbe de Queylus, who hoped the King would -eventually make him a bishop. But the Jesuits -were too powerful not to prevent any priest but a -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P84"></a>84}</span> -Jesuit from receiving such an appointment, and at -last succeeded in getting François de Laval, Bishop -of Petræa, appointed to control the Church in Canada. -A striking figure was Laval, playing a great part in -the early history of Canada; but in spite of his virtue, -he was narrow-minded and domineering, perpetually -quarrelling with the various Governors of the colony -during the next thirty-five years. -</p> - -<p> -So desperate did the people of New France -become at the dangers which surrounded them, at -the quarrels between the Bishop and the Governor, -at the excesses of the fur-traders, who insisted on -intoxicating the Indians and themselves with brandy, -that it hardly needed the terrible earthquake which -took place in 1663 to make them lose heart -altogether. The total population then was some two -thousand souls, and the Company of the Hundred -Associates had been found powerless to settle, -develop, and defend the country properly. Thinking -only of the profits of the fur trade, it had -shamefully neglected its promises, and when any of its -officials made money in Canada, they at once went -home to spend it. All this was pointed out by the -Marquis d'Avaugour when the Governorship at last -fell from his hands; and remembering that others, -including Laval, had made the same charge, Colbert, -the new Minister of young King Louis the Fourteenth, -decided to plead the cause of Canada to his master. -It was on his advice that King Louis resolved to -take the government directly into his own hands. -By royal edict was revoked the charter of the -Hundred Associates, and three men appointed as a -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P85"></a>85}</span> -Sovereign Council in Canada to carry out royal -authority. These three officials were the Governor, -the Bishop, and the Intendant, the latter having -charge of the commerce and finances of the colony. -To the post of Governor the Sieur de Courcelle was -appointed, and Jean Baptiste Talon became -Intendant. The office of Bishop, of course, continued -to be filled by Laval. -</p> - -<p><a id="img-084"></a></p> -<p class="capcenter"> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-084.jpg" alt="Dollard strikes his Last Blow, 1658" /> -<br /> -Dollard strikes his Last Blow, 1658 -</p> - -<p> -And now the drooping fortunes of New France -began to revive. Soldiers and settlers began to pour -into the country. Besides De Courcelle, the King -sent also his Viceroy for the whole of his -Trans-atlantic domains, the veteran Marquis de Tracy, to -report to him personally upon the state of Canada. -When De Tracy set sail a throng of eager young -nobles accompanied him. Their imagination had -been stirred by the tales they had heard of the -country by the St. Lawrence River. They thirsted -for adventure and renown. There came also the -famous disbanded regiment, called the Carignan-Callières, -after the names of its commanders, the -first regiment of regular troops ever sent to Canada -by the King. It had lately been serving in the wars -of France against the Turks, and had provoked the -admiration of the Turkish Sultan. -</p> - -<p> -On the last day of June 1665 a brilliant scene -was witnessed in Quebec. On that glowing summer's -day the gallant Marquis and the troops landed at the -flowery base of towering Cape Diamond. What a -different scene was now presented from that which -had taken place but a few seasons before, when the -impudent Iroquois had shaken their hatchets from -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P86"></a>86}</span> -their canoes at the trembling and helpless Governor! -The population had doubled as if by magic; thousands -were on the ramparts shouting a welcome to -the broad white standard blazoned with the arms of -France, which floated proudly from fleet and fortress. -The river-banks echoed with the hoarse note of -cannon. The bells of the church and seminaries -pealed in a frenzy of joy. Tracy, a giant six feet -and a half high, and his officers stepped ashore, all -gorgeously attired in crimson and white and gold. -In the vanguard of the procession which climbed -that day the heights of Quebec were twenty-four -guards in the King's livery, followed by four pages -and six valets. On arrival at the square, Laval, in -his resplendent pontificals, received them, and noted -with pleasure that the old marquis, although suffering -from fever caught in the tropics, knelt on the bare -pavement. A new order of things everywhere was -begun. With the 2000 settlers came young women -for wives, as well as horses, oxen, and sheep in -abundance. It became Tracy's duty to look to the -colony's protection in order that it might increase -and multiply, and the only way to accomplish this -was by curbing the power of the Iroquois. No -time was lost in taking measures to this end. The -forts at Quebec, Three Rivers, and Montreal were -strengthened, three new forts, St. Theresa, Sorel, -and Chambly, were built on the Richelieu River. -Reports of the arrival of the troops, and of all their -preparations, naturally spread far and wide amongst -the Indians, and very soon four of the Five Nations -thought it prudent to sue for peace. The fierce -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P87"></a>87}</span> -Mohawks alone remained defiant; they were not to -be cowed by all this martial pomp, and at last -Courcelle, the Governor, with Tracy, the Viceroy's, -permission, resolved to chastise them as soundly as -they deserved. He would take them when they -least expected it: surprise them in their lodges in -the depths of winter, when his soldiers could travel -over the frozen rivers as though on a paved highway. -Many who had had experience of winter journeyings -in Canada sought to dissuade him from the attempt, -but the new Governor was anxious to distinguish -himself, and win the approval of the Viceroy and -his King. Early in January he and his 500 men -began to march. Before they had reached Three -Rivers many had their ears, noses, and fingers frozen, -while some of the newly-arrived troops were so -disabled by the cold, that they had to be left behind. -But the old Indian fighters and native Canadians, of -whom there were nearly a hundred, pressed forward -bravely in the van, in spite of the heavy loads which -all were obliged to carry. For six weeks they -travelled to reach the Iroquois lodges, but they lost -their way, and came at last to the Dutch settlement -of Schenectady. Here they learnt that the Mohawks -had gone far afield on a war-like expedition, and that -the country they were now in belonged to the Duke -of York, afterwards James II. New Netherlands -having thus passed into English hands, Courcelle and -his troops were asked to quit the territory at once. -There was nothing, therefore, to do but to steal -away to Canada, whence they had come. It was -not an easy feat, for a body of Mohawks hung at -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P88"></a>88}</span> -their heels tomahawking stragglers. The cold was -intense, and, to make matters worse, the provisions -gave out. Sixty men perished on the march. -Nevertheless, unlucky as Courcelle had been, his -expedition had served to convince the Mohawks that -they and their families were no longer safe in their -lodges. There was no telling what these Frenchmen -would do next, so they sent a deputation to offer -peace. The Viceroy, in his turn, sent a priest as his -ambassador to visit their deputation, but he had -scarcely left when tidings came that a party of seven -French officers out hunting near Lake Champlain -had been set upon and killed by the Mohawks. A -cousin of Tracy's had been captured, and a nephew -had been slain. -</p> - -<p> -"Now, by the Virgin!" cried the sick old -soldier, bringing down his giant palm on the table, -"they have gone far enough. Recall the holy -father. We must teach these savages a lesson." But -the cup of his anger was not yet full. A -couple of boastful Mohawk deputies arrived in -Quebec and came to his house. When the indignant -Tracy happened to mention the murder of his nephew, -one of them actually had the effrontery to laugh -and exclaim, as he stretched out his arm, "Yes, -this is the hand that split the head of that young -man!" -</p> - -<p> -The Viceroy, veteran soldier as he was, and used -to deeds of violence, shuddered with horror. -</p> - -<p> -"Very well," he said, "never shall it slay any one -else. Take that base wretch out," he added to one of the -guard, "and hang him in the presence of his fellows!" -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P89"></a>89}</span> -</p> - -<p> -It was September. Tracy himself and Courcelle, -commanding 1300 men, put the heights of -Quebec behind them. Traversing mountains, -swamps, rivers, lakes, and forests, they held steadily -on their way to the country of the Mohawks. When -the gout seized the commander they bore him on a -litter, a mighty load. All day long were the drums -beating and the trumpets blowing; when provisions -had grown low, luckily they came upon a huge grove -yielding chestnuts, on which they largely fed. The -Mohawks heard of this martial procession and were -terrified. They had no wish now to face the French, -whose numbers rumour magnified, and whose drums -they took for devils. At the last moment they -retreated from their towns, one after another. Tracy -pursued them, capturing each place as he arrived at -it. At the fourth town he thought he had captured -them all, but a squaw told him there was still -another, and stronger than any they had yet seen. -To this town he sent an officer, who prepared for an -assault, but, to the surprise of the French, they found -within only an old man, a couple of aged squaws, and -a little child. These told the French that the -Mohawks had just evacuated, crying, "Let us save -ourselves, brothers! The whole world is coming -against us!" All loaded with corn and provisions as -it was, to the town the French that night applied the -torch. A mighty bonfire lit up the forest. In -despair at losing all their possessions, the two squaws -flung themselves headlong into the flames. All the -other places were destroyed, and then, chanting the -Te Deum and reciting mass, the victors set out on -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P90"></a>90}</span> -the return march. They had burned the food of the -Mohawks, who they knew must now feel the dread -pangs of hunger. Terrible was the blow, and the -Mohawks suffered much that winter. Their pride -was humbled. By these means was a treaty of peace -between the French and all the Iroquois declared, and -for twenty years Canada enjoyed the sweets of peace. -</p> - -<p> -Old Marquis de Tracy had done his work well, -and could now go back to France with his resplendent -bodyguard, his four pages, and his six valets, and leave -Courcelle and Talon to rule Canada alone. -</p> - -<p> -After this, when they went amongst the Iroquois, -cross and breviary in hand, Jesuit missionaries met -with no danger or refusal. They made many converts. -Not content with their labours amongst the tribes -close at hand, they pierced the distant forests north -of Lake Superior, established permanent missions at -Michilimackinac and Sault Ste. Marie, which joins -the Lakes Huron and Michigan. On the banks of -the St. Lawrence a new era began. For when the -Carignan-Callières regiment was disbanded, the -soldiers turned their swords into ploughshares, and -the wise and prudent Intendant, Talon, had the -satisfaction of seeing farms arise in the wilderness and -yield abundant harvests. Talon's hand was seen -everywhere; he spared no pains to make Canada -prosperous and self-supporting. He set about -establishing the fisheries in the St. Lawrence river and -gulf, and encouraged the seal-hunts, by which much oil -was obtained and exported to France. He ordered -the people to grow hemp, and taught the women -to spin wool. He also devoted much attention to the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P91"></a>91}</span> -timber trade, and to him is owing the first tannery -seen in Canada. By the year 1688 as many as 1100 -vessels had in a single season anchored in the Quebec -roadstead, laden with every kind of merchandise. -According to a letter written by one of the chief -nuns, "M. Talon studied with the affection of a -father how to succour the poor and cause the colony to -grow; entered into the minutest particulars; visited -the houses of the inhabitants and caused them to -visit him; learned what crop each was raising; taught -those who had wheat to sell it at a profit; helped -those who had none, and encouraged everybody." -</p> - -<p> -But in nothing were Talon's efforts so -extraordinary to us as in his providing wives for the -colonists of New France. In his first few years of -office 1200 girls were shipped out from France. -These French maidens were chosen from the -country rather than from the city, strong and -accustomed to work. But there was also a -consignment of "select young ladies" as wives for the -officers. When they arrived in Quebec or Montreal, -the girls, tall and short, blonde or brunette, plump -and lean, were gathered in a large building, and the -young Canadian came and chose a wife to his liking. -A priest was in readiness, and they were married on -the spot, in batches of thirty at a time. Next day, -we are told, the Governor caused the couple to be -presented with an ox, a cow, a pair of swine, a pair of -fowls, two barrels of salted meat, and eleven crowns in -money. Besides this bounty, twenty livres were -given to each youth who married before he was -twenty years old, and to each girl who married before -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P92"></a>92}</span> -sixteen. All bachelors were heavily taxed. To be -unmarried was regarded by the Intendant and the -King as a crime. In short, as has been said, the new -settler was found by the King, sent over by the King, -and supplied by the King with a wife, a farm, and -even a house. -</p> - -<p> -Now amongst free-born Britons all this royal -interference would have been resented. Britons like -to manage their own private affairs. They would -call Louis the Fourteenth's system "paternalism," -and in truth the system was a failure, because it -discouraged the principle of independence. No spirit -of self-reliance was stimulated amongst the people. -They looked to the Government for everything, not -to themselves. The result was that many of the -strongest and most self-reliant amongst the young -men preferred to live a life of freedom and adventure -in the wilderness, hunting, fishing, and trading, rather -than suffer the constraints imposed upon them by -the well-meaning Talon. Thus came about the -creation of a famous class called the <i>coureurs de bois</i>, -or bushrangers, who at last spread themselves all -over Canada, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, owning -no laws but their own, living like Indians, taking -unto themselves Indian wives, and rearing half-breed -children. Talon and all the Governors, Intendants, -and Bishops were very angry with these men, who -thus set the wishes of the good King at defiance, and -made many laws against them. But in vain! The -bushrangers, valorous, picturesque, and their -companions, the <i>voyageurs</i>, continued to flourish almost -until our own day. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap07"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P93"></a>93}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER VII -<br /><br /> -STRANGE DOINGS AT PORT ROYAL -</h3> - -<p> -We left the loyal, undaunted Charles de la Tour, -whom his Huguenot father, Sir Claude, had tempted -in vain to enter the English service, master once -more of Port Royal in Acadia, and in high favour -with King Louis the Thirteenth. All Acadia as -well as Canada was given back to the French by the -treaty of St. Germain-en-Laye, and King Louis and -his Court were now inclined to abandon their policy of -indifference and begin the work of colonising anew. -In the spring of 1632 a nephew of Richelieu's, -Captain de Razilly, arrived in Acadia with a shipload of -colonists, including artisans, farmers, several Capuchin -friars, and some gentry. Amongst the latter were -Nicholas Denys and an extraordinary person, Charles -de Menou, Chevalier de Charnisay. -</p> - -<p> -The new Governor-General of Acadia was so -struck by the natural beauties of La Heve that he -fixed his residence there, in preference to Port Royal, -which the Scotch had taken care to dismantle before -sailing away. Naturally young De la Tour was very -jealous at Razilly's coming. He thought the King -ought to have appointed him Governor, instead of -giving him the mere lordship over a limited territory. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P94"></a>94}</span> -With Razilly's death in the following year De la Tour -thought his chance had come. But again his hopes -were frustrated. It appeared that Razilly had ceded -all his rights to Charnisay, his Deputy-Governor, -whose first act was to remove from La Heve and -take up residence at Port Royal, where he built a -new fort. -</p> - -<p> -From this time forward Charnisay and De la -Tour were sworn enemies. De la Tour believed in -his heart that it was Charnisay's aim to dispossess him -of those rights which he had acquired in Acadia by -so much energy and sacrifice. It is certain that -Charnisay had much more influence at home in France -than had his rival. The King tried to settle the -dispute by fixing the limits of Charnisay's -government at the New England frontiers on the one hand, -and at a line north from the Bay of Fundy on the -other. Westward of this line was to be De la Tour's -province. But in vain. Both rivals appealed to their -monarch, and Charnisay's friends having poisoned the -King's mind by alleging that De la Tour was a -Huguenot in disguise, orders were sent to his foe to -arrest him and send him a prisoner to France. By -this time De la Tour was dwelling with his young -wife and children, his soldiers and Indian followers, in -a strong fort he had built at the mouth of the -St. John's River, to which he had given his own name. -When, to his amazement, he heard that his foe had -succeeded in depriving him of his rank as King's -Lieutenant, of his charter, and of his share in the fur -trade; that Charnisay had, moreover, orders to take -him a prisoner to France, his indignation was -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P95"></a>95}</span> -overwhelming. He took instant measures. Having -strengthened Fort la Tour, he defied his enemy to -do his worst. -</p> - -<p> -Charnisay was a crafty man and moved slowly. -Not until the spring of 1643 was he ready to wreak -vengeance on the "traitor," as he called De la Tour. -The snows had scarce melted, the trees were putting -forth their first pale verdure, when De la Tour -perceived several armed ships creeping stealthily into -the harbour. Aboard these ships were 500 men -whom Richelieu had sent to Charnisay to overpower -the loyal subject who had, in a time of stress and -temptation, held all Acadia for the French King. -Duly the attacking force landed, and Charnisay, his -eye kindling with hate and expected triumph, himself -led the assault. But he deceived himself: the fort -proved too strong and the besieged too valiant. -After an hour of hot fighting, Charnisay was fain to -acknowledge himself baffled. Yet although he could -not storm the fort, he had another resource. He -could, he thought, starve it into capitulation. Thus -was begun a close siege by sea and land. But in spite -of Charnisay's care, a loophole in the line of ships was -left, and through this loophole one day De la Tour's -keen vision saw, far on the horizon, the long-expected -ship, with provisions, merchandise, and gunpowder for -Fort de la Tour. To reach that ship was now the -hope of De la Tour and his wife, no whit less valiant -than himself. In it both would sail to Boston, and -there seek to obtain reinforcements from the sturdy -New Englanders. In his hazardous extremity De -la Tour remembered the lesson his father, now dead, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P96"></a>96}</span> -had tried to teach him, and what he had tried to forget -all these years, that he was a baronet of England, -doubly so, once in his own right and once by right -of inheritance. By virtue of the rank the English -King had given him, King Charles's transatlantic -subjects would not refuse him succour. The next -night, therefore, De la Tour and his lady slipped -unperceived into a waiting boat and rowed with muffled -oars through the blockade. The captain of the -<i>St. Clement</i> was delighted to see De la Tour. Placing -himself under his orders, they sailed for Boston, where, -although they dared not give him direct assistance, -the Puritan elders of the new town had no objection -to striking a bargain, and at a good price permitted -their visitor to hire four stout ships and seventy men. -Sailing back with his force, De la Tour was able now -to make his enemy flee before him. The siege of his -own fort being raised, he followed the foiled Charnisay -to Port Royal, captured a shipload of rich furs, and -would have taken Charnisay himself and his settlement, -had it not been for the scruples of his New -England allies, who succeeded in patching up a -peace. But none knew better than De la Tour that -there could be no lasting truce between him and -Charnisay. -</p> - -<p> -While his wife went to France to obtain help, -the brave Charles set about strengthening Fort la -Tour. Once across the Atlantic, Madame de la -Tour had a narrow escape from falling into the hands -of their enemy, Charnisay, who had also gone to -France on the same mission. But she eluded her -enemies as well as the King's officers sent to arrest -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P97"></a>97}</span> -her, and reached England in safety. After many -months, she took passage home in a small vessel. She -had many adventures. Once she hid in the hold of -the vessel while her enemies searched for her. The -ship suffered delay after delay ere, to her joy, Fort -la Tour at length was reached. Her husband -received her with raptures, and at once set out to -bribe the Boston folk once more to lend him a -helping hand to avert the danger which again -threatened him. Now was Charnisay's opportunity. -Hardly was his rival gone than he mustered all his -ships and men and fell upon the fort. What an easy -prey it seemed! Charnisay forgot that a woman -sometimes can play a man's part. The fort received -him with so hot a fire—so hot that thirty-three of -his men were slain—that Charnisay, with loud curses, -withdrew to his ships. Long he lay in wait for De -la Tour, who dared not now return, and after a -second onslaught on the fort, Charnisay began in -earnest to despair of success. At this critical -junction a scoundrelly traitor, bought by Charnisay's -gold, appeared in the fort. In vain the heroic -woman spurred on her valiant band to repel the -invaders. The latter had been told that her food -and powder were nearly spent, and finally, at a signal, -the traitor threw open the outer gates of the fort, -and the host of the enemy rushed in. Yet even -then for three days Madame de la Tour kept them -at bay, and Charnisay at last, weary of the bloodshed, -was fain to offer her fair terms if she would -surrender and depart. She hesitated a moment, -but, to spare the lives of her brave garrison, she -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P98"></a>98}</span> -caused the gates of the inner fort to be opened, -and so yielded. -</p> - -<p> -Then it was that Charnisay covered his name to -the end of all time with the blackest infamy. His -eyes dwelt on the smallness of the garrison, and, -ashamed of the terms he had offered, he cried out, -"I have been deceived! I have been deceived! -Take these wretches out and hang them all one by -one!" He ordered a halter to be placed about the -neck of the splendid heroine, their intrepid mistress, -Marie de la Tour. He forced her to witness the -cold-blooded murder of her men, so that she swooned -with horror. To Port Royal Charnisay then bore -her away, where she fell ill, and in three short weeks -was dead. -</p> - -<p> -Alas, poor Marie de la Tour! Her husband was -now an exile from Acadia. By the capture of the -fort he had lost not only his wife, but all his -merchandise, jewels, plate, and furniture worth ten -thousand pounds. His debts to the Bostonians being -heavy, he became bankrupt. So while Charnisay -flourished and grew rich at Port Royal, reigning -supreme throughout Acadia, Charles de la Tour -was a wanderer on the face of the earth. As a -<i>coureur de bois</i> he hunted and bartered for furs in -the far north. Years passed, when, through a faithful -follower, tidings reached him which filled his breast -anew with hope. His enemy was dead, drowned in -an Acadian river in the very flush and midsummer -of his success, which, however, by the wildest -extravagance, he had grossly abused. No sooner -did De la Tour learn of this event than he took ship -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P99"></a>99}</span> -immediately for France and poured out the story of -his wrongs at the foot of the throne. The King -acknowledged the injustice with which his faithful -subject had been treated, and, to make amends, -created him sole Governor of Acadia, with a monopoly -of the fur trade. Once again back in the colony he -loved, his fortunes grew bright. His coffers soon -filled with gold. But the sight of the widow and -children of his life-long enemy troubled him. He -knew that they regarded him as profiting by their -misfortunes. To make what reparation he could, he -presented himself before Madame Charnisay. She -did not spurn his attentions, and so he courted, then -wedded her, and took her children under his protection. -</p> - -<p> -And now, you will think, this surely is the end of -the drama. Nay, there is more to come. Charnisay -in his day had had many dealings with a certain -merchant of Rochelle named Le Borgne. This -fellow now came forward with a trumped-up tale -for De la Tour's undoing. He swore that Charnisay -had died owing him a quarter of a million livres, and -this story he duly unfolded before Cardinal Mazarin, -the great Richelieu's successor. Mazarin, an intriguing -bigot, suspected De la Tour's loyalty and religion, -and ended by giving Le Borgne power to seize the -dead Charnisay's estate. On the strength of this -authority a force was got together, and Le Borgne -sailed away to oust De la Tour and make himself, -if possible, master of Acadia. He fell first upon -Nicholas Denys, who commanded a fort under De la -Tour, captured him, took Port Royal, and made all -in readiness to storm Fort la Tour. Matters were -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P100"></a>100}</span> -in this posture when, like a bombshell, burst a -surprise for all parties. -</p> - -<p> -At this time, far away across the Atlantic in -England, the Civil War had come to an end. King -Charles was beheaded, and Oliver Cromwell ruled in -his stead as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth. -When war broke out with Holland, Cromwell -despatched a fleet to capture the Dutch colonies in -America; but not long after the ships arrived at -Boston, where they were to be joined by 500 of -the English colonists, the latter were chagrined to -hear that the war was over. The New Englanders -had, however, in the meantime been petitioning -Cromwell to make himself master of Nova Scotia, -which they said was English by right and a source -of danger to themselves. A glorious opportunity -was now at hand of carrying out their schemes. The -expedition intended for the Dutch was turned against -the French in Acadia, and both De la Tour and Le -Borgne were compelled to surrender. Nova Scotia -once more flew the English flag, and at Port Royal -an English Governor was installed, who made the -settlers understand that no harm or oppression should -befall them. -</p> - -<p> -When these things happened, in the year 1654, -De la Tour was long past his prime. After -waiting a year he began to see how hopeless it was -to expect that France would do anything to save -Acadia. He crossed the ocean, this time to -England. As Sir Charles de la Tour he obtained -audience of the Lord Protector and stated his case -fully and frankly. "I am the man for that country, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P101"></a>101}</span> -my Lord. For more than sixty years I have laboured -there, and settlers and Indians know me. With me -it may prosper; without me it is nothing." Cromwell -was a keen judge of character. He liked De la -Tour's address, and decreed that he should come into -his own again. An English Company was formed, -consisting of De la Tour, Thomas Temple, one of -Cromwell's colonels, and a Puritan minister named -William Crowne, to take over the whole of Acadia, -both the peninsula of Nova Scotia and the mainland. -The partners were given besides the usual trading -monopoly. Great projects were planned, and so firm -was Temple's belief in Acadia's future that he spent -his whole fortune in developing the estate. Long -before his death, in 1666, Charles de la Tour sold out -his interests to his partners. He divined further -trouble, for the Restoration of Charles the Second -put a new aspect on the situation. His seventy -years of strenuous life made him long for peace and -quiet. But the worst he did not live to see. A -year after De la Tour died, King Charles put his -royal hand to the disgraceful Treaty of Breda, by -which all Acadia, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and -Prince Edward Island, was given back to France, -and Temple became a ruined man. -</p> - -<p> -For forty-three years did Nova Scotia remain -in the possession of the French. At length in 1713, -by the Treaty of Utrecht, it passed to Great Britain, -and in British possession it remains to this day. -The New Englanders never ceased to regard French -Acadia with jealousy. There were constant quarrels -about the boundary-line between it and New England, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P102"></a>102}</span> -and many deadly raids on both sides. Among the -chief characters of Acadia at this time was the -Baron St. Castin. He was a French noble who -flung off the mantle of civilisation when he arrived -in Canada with the Carignan-Callières regiment, and, -marrying a squaw, took up his residence with the -Indians. St. Castin dwelt in a strong fort on the -Penobscot River and made himself lord and master -over hundreds of Abenakis Indians. He was greatly -dreaded by the English of Maine and Massachusetts. -</p> - -<p> -During this long period, while Frontenac was -ruling far away in Quebec, the population of Acadia -slowly increased. Settlement was made at Chignecto -and in the district called the Basin of Minas. It was -the descendants of these settlers whose opposition -to British rule caused them in the next century to -be banished from the country. -</p> - -<p> -In the meantime you must bear in mind that -by water more than a thousand miles separated Port -Royal from Quebec. Communication was slow and -difficult. There was no high-road, and consequently -the colonists on the St. Lawrence showed for a long -time hardly more interest in Acadia's fortunes than -if it were one of France's far-distant West Indian -possessions. Louisburg, that mighty fortress which -was to awaken their interest and to centre in itself -so much of the power and glory of New France, was -not yet built. It was not yet even a dream. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap08"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P103"></a>103}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER VIII -<br /><br /> -THE COMING OF FRONTENAC -</h3> - -<p> -While the wise and prudent Intendant, Talon, was -playing his part of official father to the people, -Governor Courcelle was busy with his own duties at -Quebec. He found that the Iroquois, although they -had buried the war-hatchet, had begun to injure -Canada's interests in another way by inducing the -Northern and Western Indians to trade with the -English colonies. Courcelle made up his mind that -the proper policy for the French was to secure -a stronger hold on the more distant tribes. A fort -and military station was built at a spot on the north -shore of Lake Ontario where Kingston now stands. -Expeditions were despatched to open up communication -with the great and unknown territory west and -south of the great lakes. Such was the beginning of -a great era of discovery, associated in Canadian -history with the name of Frontenac, Courcelle's -successor, whose name in Canadian history stands -second only to Champlain. It was during Courcelle's -governorship, in 1669, that Charles the Second of -England granted a charter to the Hudson's Bay -Company, who thereby acquired the right to trade -for furs in the mighty region bordering upon -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P104"></a>104}</span> -Hudson's Bay. But although England thus planted -her foot in the far regions of the north, it was to a -couple of intrepid French Canadian bushrangers that -the idea of the Company was due. The names of -these bushrangers were Pierre Esprit Radisson and -Chouart de Groseilliers, both emigrants from France. -At an early age they had been thrilled by the tales -of life and adventure in the distant wilderness across -the sea. They were hardy and enterprising, well -fitted for the arduous life-work which was before -them. From a western tribe of Indians called the -Assiniboines, Radisson and Groseilliers first heard of -the character and extent of the great inland sea to -the north, which had long before been named by the -English marine explorers Hudson's Bay. Not only -did they glean a description of the inland sea, but -they also succeeded, while on their wanderings, in -obtaining information how they might reach it, not -as the English might do by sea, but overland. -</p> - -<p> -In August 1660 the two adventurers found their -way back to Montreal after over a year's absence. -They were accompanied by 300 Indians and 60 canoes, -laden with furs, out of which they made a handsome -profit. But they had to reckon with the jealous -fur-trading proprietors of Quebec, who sought to restrict -them from adventuring into any new fields, and so -many obstacles did the pair meet with, that in order -to carry out their scheme and establish trading posts -on Hudson's Bay they gave up their overland -scheme and decided to throw in their lot with the -English. They crossed over the ocean and had an -interview with King Charles's cousin, the gallant -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P105"></a>105}</span> -Prince Rupert, and the result was all their hearts -could wish for. Money for the enterprise was found, -and an English association founded under charter -from the King, which took the title of the Merchants -and Adventurers of England trading into Hudson's -Bay, but better known to us as the Hudson's Bay -Company. -</p> - -<p> -On a June morning 1668 the <i>Nonsuch</i>, a ketch of -only fifty tons' burden, left the Thames for Hudson's -Bay. At the end of September it passed safely -through Hudson's Straits, and all hands were ordered -ashore in Rupert's River to begin the construction -of a fort and dwellings, called after King Charles. -It was made of logs, in the fashion of those made -by the Jesuits and traders in Canada. As some -protection from sudden attack it was enclosed by -a stockade. -</p> - -<p> -This, at Rupert's River, was the first of the forts -and stations of the Hudson's Bay Company. After -a time other forts and "factories," as they were called, -began to dot the shores of the bay. -</p> - -<p> -Radisson and Groseilliers did not continue very -constant in their allegiance; sometimes they were -English, sometimes they were French. They were -rough-and-ready adventurers both; and it all -depended whose purse was largest to command their -services. Radisson, however, ended his days in the -receipt of a pension from the Hudson's Bay -Company. -</p> - -<p> -Naturally, the French were not at all pleased -at this enterprise which the English had set on -foot, and soon began to take measures to get the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P106"></a>106}</span> -fur trade of the most distant parts into their own -hands. -</p> - -<p> -Governor Courcelle despatched an explorer, a -brave fellow named Nicholas Perrot, to summon -deputies from the far western tribes to a conference, -and take them all under the protection of King -Louis. It was while on this expedition that Perrot -heard from the Indians of a mighty river flowing -southwards, which they spoke of as the Mississippi, -or Father of Waters. The rumour caused great -interest in Canada. It was not long, as we shall see, -before another expedition started from Quebec to -ascertain what truth lay in the story. But that was -in Frontenac's time. -</p> - -<p> -Louis de Buade, Count of Frontenac, was a -grandson of one of the knightly paladins who had -fought with Henry the Fourth in the wars of the -League. He was a very shrewd, courageous, and -ambitious man. He entered upon the government -of Canada, as he entered upon everything he -undertook in his life, with great enthusiasm. In almost -his first letter home he wrote: "I have never seen -anything so fair or so grand as the site of Quebec. -That city could not have been better placed had it -been purposely founded as the expected capital of a -great Empire." Soon after lie arrived, Talon retired -from his post of Intendant, fearing a conflict with -the indomitable spirit of the new Governor. For -Frontenac, with all his excellent qualities, could -endure no opposition. He chafed at any criticism of -his authority. And opposition and criticism were to -be his lot for years. He soon became engaged in -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P107"></a>107}</span> -bitter disputes with the officials of the colony, with -Bishop Laval, who was as stern and unbending as -himself, with the new Intendant, Duchesneau, and -with the Governor of Montreal. Frontenac disliked -the Jesuits; he was constantly seeking to curb their -influence. This unhappy three-cornered conflict -lasted all through Frontenac's first governorship of ten -years. He became more and more despotic, banishing -members of the Council who offended him, and -finally sending Governor Perrot of Montreal, as well -as a hostile priest named Fenelon, back to France, -where the former was imprisoned in the Bastille. -</p> - -<p> -He had many enemies, but Frontenac had also -many friends. These idolised him, and to one, the -brilliant and adventurous La Salle, he stood firm as -a rock. We have seen how Frontenac's predecessor, -Courcelle, had planned a fort on Lake Ontario. -This plan Frontenac warmly approved, and believing -the post ought to be a strong one, he sent 400 men -to construct the works and to serve as garrison. He -also established another fort at Niagara. The -project of discovering the vast stream which the Indians -called the Mississippi also greatly interested the -Governor, and a strong and able priest, Father -Marquette, and a fur-trading explorer named Jolliet -left the St. Lawrence in its quest. Frontenac, La -Salle, and the others still cherished in their hearts a -vision of a short route to China. At that time no -one knew how far away the Pacific Ocean lay—no one -dreamt that thousands of miles of mountain range -and prairie separated Quebec and New York from -its shores. Marquette and Jolliet, with a few -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P108"></a>108}</span> -followers, pushed on to the north-west of Lake -Michigan. After much paddling and many portages -their canoes brought them at last into the swelling -flood of the greatest river in the world. What -emotions they felt! In wonder and triumph they -descended the Mississippi, and during the month -which followed, passed the mouths of three other -great rivers, the Illinois, the Missouri, and the Ohio. -They had many talks with friendly Indians on the -banks; they saw much beautiful scenery and many -strange sights. At last they drew near to the mouth -of the river of Arkansas, where savages who had -never so much as looked on the face of a white man -were not so friendly. Jolliet and his companion -deemed that they had gone far enough. By this -time they had made up their minds that the great -river emptied not into the Pacific ocean but into the -Gulf of Mexico. Reluctantly they turned back, and -not till the following summer did the two explorers -reach Canada again. All through this memorable -journey Jolliet had noted down in a book a description -of all that had attracted his attention, besides -sketching carefully a map of the course. This book -he guarded jealously, intending it for the eyes of the -Governor, of King Louis, and the people of France. -Alas, just as he had run Lachine rapids and was in -sight of home, his canoe capsized and the precious -volume floated away on the rushing waters! It was -a cruel disappointment for Jolliet. Frontenac received -him graciously, heard his story, and reported what he -had heard to his royal master. As for Jolliet's -companion, Father Marquette was wholly worn out by -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P109"></a>109}</span> -his exertions. Less than two years later he lay -down and died by a little river pouring into Lake -Michigan, baffled in his dream of converting whole -tribes of Indians in what was then the Far West. -Neither he nor the Canadian-born Jolliet have been -forgotten in this region. To many towns and -counties have their names been given, and their -statues in bronze and marble are to be seen in several -places in America to-day. -</p> - -<p> -Jolliet and Marquette had begun the work; it -now remained for another strong, ardent, adventurous -spirit to continue it. Such a one was close at hand -in the person of Réné Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la -Salle. As a young man he had come to Canada -from his native city of Rouen, filled with the most -romantic ideas of winning fame and wealth in the -wilderness. To learn the Indian language and ways -he had left the towns and led the roving life of a -bushranger, making long, lonely canoe journeys and -dwelling in the Indian wigwams. He, too, had -heard of the Father of Waters, the vast Mississippi, -and tried to reach it, but, as we have seen, Jolliet was -there before him. But La Salle did not accept Jolliet's -conclusions. He refused to believe that the -Mississippi emptied into the Gulf of Mexico—he thought -it led to the Pacific. He was full of faith in the -existence of a short route to China. When any one -met him on his return from an expedition, however -short, they would jokingly ask him, "Venez vous de -la Chine?" ("Do you come from China?") La -Salle had bought an estate not far from Montreal, -and this estate came at last to be called in derision -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P110"></a>110}</span> -La Chine, and Lachine it is called to this hour. But -La Salle was not the kind of man to be discouraged. -He was determined to settle the matter one way or -another, and into his plans Frontenac entered heartily. -But for some years other work claimed La Salle's -attention—work of a pioneering sort. He believed -that before the French could lay strong hands on the -west, where the English had already begun to penetrate, -forts and stations ought to be built and a firm -alliance made with the Indians. With Frontenac's -approval, he assumed control of Fort Cataracoui, on -Lake Ontario. Once in his hands, La Salle tore it -down, built a stronger one of stone, and rechristened -it in honour of his patron, Fort Frontenac. Moving -westward, he began to clear land and to build small -ships to carry the cargoes of furs he had bargained -for. The first he built on Lake Erie in the year -1679 he called the <i>Griffin</i>, in which he sailed to the -Green Bay Mission on Lake Michigan. There the -<i>Griffin</i> was packed with costly furs and bade -God-speed on her return voyage eastward. Weeks -passed, then months and years, but the <i>Griffin</i> never -came back. Her timbers and the bodies of her crew -have long rotted somewhere at the bottom of one of -the Great Lakes. The loss was a sad blow to La -Salle; it was one of the first of that series of great -misfortunes which followed him through his career -until he was cruelly done to death by foul traitors in -the remote forest. -</p> - -<p> -But by this time La Salle was not alone in his -wanderings. In Henry de Tonti he had a fiery and -trusty lieutenant, and a devoted follower in a Recollet -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P111"></a>111}</span> -friar, Father Hennepin. Before coming to Canada, -Tonti had lost a hand in battle, its place being -supplied by one of steel, covered by a glove. The -Indians stood amazed at the blows Tonti could deal -with his mysterious gloved hand, blows which would -have shattered their own members to fragments. -Tonti often had reason to bless his hand of steel. -Three years after the ill-fated <i>Griffin</i> went down, La -Salle saw his way clear to carry out his great purpose. -He embarked on the waters of the Mississippi on a -voyage to its source. The explorer, with Tonti and -his party, met with a friendly reception from most -of the Indians on their journey. Some were -disposed to be hostile, and when this happened to be -the case, strong, quick paddling soon put the French -out of their reach. Finally, on the 19th of March, -as the sun shone hot and trees and flowers were -in bloom, their canoes entered the mouth of the -Father of Waters, which is divided into three -channels. La Salle, in his canoe, entered one, Tonti -the second, and Captain d'Autray the third. All -disembarked, and on some high, dry ground La -Salle caused a column to be raised, and upon it this -inscription was placed: -</p> - -<p class="t3"> - LOUIS THE GREAT,<br /> - King of France<br /> - and of Navarre,<br /> - reigns.<br /> - The ninth of April 1682.<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -La Salle took possession of the country for the King, -and bestowed upon it the name, in his honour, of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P112"></a>112}</span> -Louisiana. It took the explorers a full year to get -back to Quebec, for the current was strong and the -difficulties many. There he received a warm -reception. But nothing could console him. Much to -his sorrow and dismay, he found a new Governor -installed. The enemies of Frontenac, headed by -Laval, had triumphed, and the greatest and strongest -man in Canada had been recalled by the King. -Never could this measure have happened at a worse -time. For, while La Salle had been absent, after -years of peace, the restless Iroquois had dug up the -war-hatchet. Upon a pretext of having received -offence from the Illinois tribe, which was under -French protection, they threatened to deluge the -land in blood. To this policy they had been urged -by the English Governor of New York, Colonel -Dongan, who saw with alarm the growing enterprise, -both in fur trade and exploration of the French. -While he continued in Canada the doughty Frontenac -was more than a match for the Iroquois chiefs. He -sent for them instantly to Fort Frontenac, saying -that if they had been wronged by the Illinois he -would see that they had proper satisfaction. The -Iroquois, having the English Governor at their back, -at first returned a defiant answer. "If you want to -see us, friend Onontio," they said, "you must come -to our lodges." With flashing eyes and with knitted -brows, Frontenac sent back the messenger to the -Iroquois commanding them to keep their hands off -his Indians or take all consequences. He had, he -said, asked them to come and meet him at Fort -Frontenac. Now he added, if the Iroquois wished -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P113"></a>113}</span> -to see him, they would have to come to Montreal. -His sternness and the fear of his displeasure -overcame the braves of the Five Nations. Changing -their tone, they sent an embassy to Montreal, -promising the peace which they hated. Scarcely -had they done so than Frontenac the Lion was -replaced by La Barre, the Lamb. -</p> - -<p> -Like every one else, La Salle, on learning the -evil news, saw the folly and danger of the change. -To France straightway he sailed, where the King -heaped him with honours, and, seizing the opportunity, -he unfolded a project for establishing a French -colony in Louisiana. Ships were freely given him -and many soldiers and supplies to reach the Gulf of -Mexico by sea. But La Salle, though he never -would admit the fact, was no sailor. His navigation -was fatally at fault; he wholly missed his intended -destination, the mouth of the Mississippi, sailing -hundreds of miles beyond. He landed, and through -the forests and swamps, and stricken with fever, he -led his colonists. After much miserable wandering, -in which most of the little army perished, his -followers mutinied. La Salle was murdered and his -corpse flung to the jackals and vultures. -</p> - -<p> -Far more successful were the adventures of the -Chevalier de Troyes. The Chevalier de Troyes was -a Canadian nobleman who had long fought for his -king, and had seen service on many of the bloody -battlefields in Europe. Now, when age began to -creep upon him, and scars lined his cheek and brow, -he had retired to his estate on the banks of the -silvery St. Lawrence, to spend the rest of his days -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P114"></a>114}</span> -in peace and the companionship of his books. In -his retirement the news of the increasing power and -wealth of the Hudson's Bay Company reached him; -it told him that unless this power was checked -the prosperity of the French fur-hunters and -fur-traders would be utterly crushed. An idea flashed -across the brain of the Chevalier de Troyes, who -believed he now saw an opportunity of winning -enduring distinction, to rival, and may be surpass, -the exploits of Champlain, La Salle, and the other -hero-pioneers of New France. -</p> - -<p> -In the depths of winter he summoned all his -dependants and all whom his eloquence could attract, -locked up his library, and set out for Quebec on -snow-shoes. From the Governor he procured, on -Christmas Eve 1685, official permission to steal -upon the English and drive them, at the point of -the sword, from the shores of Hudson's Bay. He -was empowered to "search for, seize, and occupy -the most advantageous posts, to seize the robbers, -bushrangers, and others whom we know to have -taken and arrested several of our French engaged -in the Indian trade, whom we order him to arrest, -especially Radisson and his adherents, wherever -they may be found, and bring them to be punished as -deserters, according to the rigour of the ordinances." The -rigour of the ordinances was but another word -for death. -</p> - -<p> -Fourscore Canadians were selected to make up -the expedition against the Hudson's Bay Company's -posts by the Chevalier de Troyes. For his lieutenants -the leader chose the three sons of a nobleman of New -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P115"></a>115}</span> -France named Charles le Moine. One, the eldest, -a young man of only twenty-five, was to bear an -enduring distinction in the annals of France as one of -her most able and intrepid naval commanders. This -was the Sieur d'Iberville. His brothers, taking -their names, as he had done, from places in their -native land, were called the Sieurs de Sainte-Hélène -and de Marincourt. Thirty soldiers were -directly attached to the Chevalier's command, -veterans who had, almost to a man, seen service in -one or other of the great European wars. That -they might not be without the ministrations of -religion, Father Sylvie, a Jesuit priest, accompanied -the expedition. -</p> - -<p> -"The rivers," writes a chronicler of the Troyes -expedition, "were frozen and the earth covered with -snow when that small party of vigorous men left -Montreal in order to ascend the Ottawa River as far -as the height of land, and thence to go down to James's -Bay." At the beginning of April they arrived at the -Long Sault, where they prepared some canoes in -order to ascend the Ottawa River. From Lake -Temiscamingue they passed many portages until -they reached Lake Abbitibi, at the entrance or most -southern extremity of which they built a small fort -of stockades. After a short halt they continued their -course onward to James's Bay. -</p> - -<p> -First doomed to conquest by Troyes and his companions -was Moose Factory, a stockade fort with four -bastions. In the centre stood a house 40 feet square -and as many high, terminating in a platform. This -fort was escaladed by the French late at night, and of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P116"></a>116}</span> -the palisades short work was made by the hatchets -of the bushrangers. -</p> - -<p> -Not a man amongst the garrison appears to have -attempted a decent defence save the chief gunner, -whose skull was split into fragments by Iberville, and -who thus perished bravely at his post of duty. A -cry for quarter went up, and the English were made -prisoners on the spot. They were sixteen in number, -and as the attack was made at night, they were in a -state of almost complete undress. Troyes found in -the fort twelve cannon, chiefly six and eight pounders, -three thousand pounds of powder, and ten pounds of -lead. -</p> - -<p> -It is worth telling that this conquest was made -with an amount of pomp and ceremony calculated to -strike the deepest awe into the hearts of the fifteen -unhappy traders, who knew nothing of fighting, nor -had bargained for anything so perilous. For so small -a victory it was both preceded and followed by -almost as much circumstance as would have sufficed -for the Grand Monarque himself in one of his theatrical -sieges. The Chevalier announced in a loud voice -that he took possession of the fort and island "in the -name of his Most Christian Majesty the Most High, -Most Mighty, Most Redoubtable Monarch Louis -XIV. of the Most Christian names, King of France -and Navarre." According to romantic custom, a sod -of earth was thrice raised in the air, whilst a cry of -"Vive le Roi" rang out over those waters wherein, -deep down, lay the bodies of Henry Hudson and his -brave followers. -</p> - -<p> -Flushed with his triumph, the Chevalier de Troyes -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P117"></a>117}</span> -next bethought him of an attack on either Fort -Rupert or Fort Albany. He did not long hesitate. -News came that a boat containing provisions had left -Moose Factory on the previous day bound for Rupert's -River. Iberville was therefore sent with nine men -and two bark canoes to attack a sloop belonging to -the Company, then lying at anchor at the mouth of -the latter river. Fourteen souls were aboard, -including the Governor. To accomplish this feat it was -necessary to travel forty leagues along the sea-coast. -The road was extremely difficult, and in places almost -impassable. A small boat was built to carry a couple -of small camion. When he had arranged all his -plans, Troyes left for Fort Rupert. -</p> - -<p> -Ste. Hélène was sent on in advance to reconnoitre -the English fort. He returned with the information -that it was a square structure, flanked by four -bastions, but that all was in a state of confusion owing -to repairs and additions then being made. The -cannon had not yet been placed, being temporarily -accommodated outside on the slope of a redoubt. -</p> - -<p> -Ere the attack, which could only have one issue, -was made by the land forces, Iberville had boarded -the Company's sloop, surprised captain and crew, -and made all, including Governor Bridgar, prisoners. -Four of the English were killed. -</p> - -<p> -On the heels of this exploit, Iberville came ashore, -rejoined his superior, and overpowered the almost -defenceless garrison of Fort Rupert. -</p> - -<p> -The French forces now united, and Ste. Hélène -having been as successful as his brother in securing -the second of the Company's ships, all embarked and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P118"></a>118}</span> -sailed for the remaining post of the Company in that -part of the Bay. -</p> - -<p> -Neither Troyes nor Iberville knew its precise -situation; but a little reconnoitring soon discovered -it. Fort Albany was built in a sheltered inlet forty -yards from the borders of the Bay. Two miles to -the north-east was an estrapade, on the summit of -which was placed a seat for a sentinel to sight the -ships expected from England, and to signal them if -all was well. But on this morning, unhappily, no -sentinel was there to greet with a waving flag the -Company's captured ship, on the deck of which young -Iberville held vigilant and expectant watch. -</p> - -<p> -Two Indians, however, brought Governor -Sargeant tidings of the approach of the enemy, -and his previous successes at Moose and Rupert -rivers. The Governor immediately resolved upon -making a bold stand; all was instantly got in -readiness to sustain a siege, and the men were -encouraged to behave with fortitude. Two hours -later the booming of cannon was heard, and soon -afterwards a couple of skirmishers were sighted at -a distance. Despite the Governor's example, the -servants at the fort were thrown into the greatest -confusion. Two of their number were deputed by -the rest to inform the Governor that they were by -no means disposed to sacrifice their lives without -provision being made for themselves and families in -case of a serious issue. They were prevailed upon -by the Governor to return to their posts, and a -bounty was promised them. Bombardment by the -French soon afterwards began, and lasted for two -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P119"></a>119}</span> -days, occasionally replied to by the English. But it -was not until the evening of the second day that the -first fatality occurred, when one of the servants was -killed, and this brought about a mutiny. Elias -Turner, the chief gunner, declared to his comrades -that it was impossible for the Governor to hold the -place, and that, for his part, he was ready to throw -himself on the clemency of the French. Sargeant, -overhearing this declaration, drew his pistol and -threatened to blow out the gunner's brains if he did -not return to his post, and the man slunk back -to his duty. The French now profited by the -darkness to bring their cannon through the wood -closer to the fort; and by daybreak a series of heavy -balls struck the bastions, causing a breach. Bridgar -and Captain Outlaw, then at Fort Albany, were -convinced that the enemy was undermining the -powder magazine, in which case they would certainly -all be blown to pieces. -</p> - -<p> -From the ship the French had thrown up a -battery, which was separated from the moat -surrounding the fort by less than a musket-shot. -None ventured to show himself above ground at a -moment of such peril. A shell exploded at the head -of the stairway and wounded the cook. The cries of -the French could now be distinctly heard outside the -fort—"Vive le Roi, Vive le Roi." In their fright and -despair the English echoed the cry "Vive le Roi," -thinking thereby to propitiate their aggressors. But -the latter mistook the cry for one of defiance, as a -token of loyalty to an altogether different monarch, -and the bullets whistled faster and thicker. Sargeant -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P120"></a>120}</span> -desired to lower the flag floating above his own -dwelling, but there was none to undertake so -hazardous a task. Finally, Dixon, the under-factor, -offered to show himself and placate the French. -He first thrust a white cloth from a window and -waved a lighted torch before it. He then called in a -loud voice, and the firing instantly ceased. The -under-factor came forth, fully dressed, bearing two -huge flagons of port wine. Walking beyond the -parapets, he encountered both Troyes and Iberville, -and by the light of a full moon the little party of -French officers and the solitary Englishman sat down -on the mounted cannon, or on the ground beside it, -broached the two flagons and drank the health of the -two kings, their masters. -</p> - -<p> -"And now, gentlemen," said Dixon, "what is it -you want?" -</p> - -<p> -"Possession of your fort in the name of his Most -Christian Majesty, King Louis the Fourteenth." -</p> - -<p> -Dixon, explaining that he was not master there, -offered to conduct this message to his chief, and in a -very short time the French commanders were seated -comfortably within the house of the Governor. The -demand was here repeated, it being added that -great offence had been given by the action of the -English in taking captive three French traders, the -previous autumn, and keeping them prisoners on -ground owned and ruled by the King of France. -For this compensation was demanded, and Sargeant -was desired at once to surrender the fort. The -Governor was surprised at such extreme measures, -for which he was totally unprepared, but was willing -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P121"></a>121}</span> -to surrender upon terms of capitulation. On the -following morning these were arranged. -</p> - -<p> -It was agreed that Sargeant should continue to -keep all his personal effects; and further, that his -deputy, Dixon, three domestics, and his servant -should accompany him out of the fort. It was also -agreed that Troyes should send the clerks and -servants of the Company to a neighbouring island, -there to await the arrival of the Company's ships -from England. In case of their non-arrival within a -reasonable time, Troyes promised to assist them to -such vessel as he could procure for the purpose. -The Frenchmen also gave Sargeant the provisions -necessary to keep him and his companions from -starvation. All quitted the fort without arms, save -Sargeant and his son, whose swords and pistols hung -at their sides. The Governor and his suite were -provided with passage to Hays Island, where he -afterwards made his escape to Port Nelson. The -others were distributed between Forts Moose and -Albany, and were treated by their captors with -considerable severity and hardship. -</p> - -<p> -Having attended to the disposition of his prisoners -and their property, Troyes, accompanied by Iberville, -departed on 10th August for Montreal. The gallant -Chevalier and his associates would have been glad to -have pursued their successes by crossing the Bay and -capturing York Factory. But although two ships -belonging to the Company had fallen to their lot, yet -they could find none competent to command them. -The distance between Albany and Port Nelson was -by water 250 leagues, and the road overland was -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P122"></a>122}</span> -as yet unknown to the French. But it was not -their purpose that it should long remain so. In a -letter to his official superior at Quebec, Troyes, who -wanted to plant the fleur-de-lys over the whole bay, -boasted that the next year would not pass without -his becoming acquainted with it. -</p> - -<p> -Wherefore Troyes suffered himself to be prevailed -upon by Iberville and be content with the victories -already won. They carried with them in their -journey more than 50,000 beaver skins as a trophy of -their arms. Many of the Hudson's Bay Company's -servants were employed in bearing the spoils. During -the dreary march several of these unhappy captives -were killed through the connivance of the French -with the Indians; and the survivors reached Quebec -in a dreadfully emaciated and halt condition. -</p> - -<p> -You may believe that the victories of the -Chevalier were blazoned to the skies. He was hailed -in Montreal, Three Rivers, and Quebec as equal to -any of the heroes of olden times, and his return was -celebrated with great pomp. As to his future, the -career of the Chevalier de Troyes ended abruptly and -tragically in 1687, when he and all his men, to the -number of ninety, were massacred by the Indians at -Niagara. -</p> - -<p> -Governor la Barre, as you have heard, was an -altogether different sort of man from Count Frontenac. -The Iroquois tribes, especially the Senecas, who had -now become the strongest nation, noticed the -difference at once when they resumed negotiations. -Instead of the dignity of command, La Barre -wheedled their deputies, sending them away from -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P123"></a>123}</span> -Montreal loaded with presents. Soon afterwards, -when he despatched a trading expedition to the -Illinois region, the Senecas stopped it in its course, -overhauled the canoes, and confiscated all the valuable -goods with which La Barre (with an eye to great -private profits) had packed them. Such a -high-handed proceeding touched the Governor in a very -sore place—his pocket. He became very wroth with -the rascally Senecas, and swore to punish them for -their knavery and presumption. A force of 900 -men being raised, La Barre himself led them to the -land of the Senecas on the south side of Lake -Ontario. But so badly laid and badly carried -out were his plans that, having got as far as the spot, -since called the Bay of Famine, Governor la Barre -called a halt and there encamped. Each day saw -some of the soldiers stricken down by death and -disease. The prospect was so gloomy that finally -La Barre thought it best to come to terms with the -enemy, and he therefore patched up an inglorious -peace. -</p> - -<p> -The name of the Seneca deputy at the peace -conference was La Grande Gueule, or Big Jaw, so -called from his gift of sustained eloquence. Big Jaw -openly boasted that the Iroquois had not the slightest -intention of sparing the Illinois tribe, whether the -French liked it or not. Frontenac would have -smitten the fellow down where he stood, but La -Barre was obliged to pocket this affront, and the next -day the remnant of his troops, full of anger and -indignation, marched away. -</p> - -<p> -Such a peace could not, of course, long endure. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P124"></a>124}</span> -The Iroquois torch had been kindled, an evil wind -was blowing, and it would take more than La -Barre's feeble efforts to extinguish it. Tardy in war -and too eager for peace had the Governor shown -himself, and when he returned to Quebec found, to -his mortification, that the King, his master, had -superseded him. His instant return to France was -ordered, the Marquis de Denonville being appointed -in his stead. Little pains did His Majesty take to -conceal his dissatisfaction with the treaty, or his -anger at the abandonment of the Illinois. -</p> - -<p> -The new Governor very quickly found that the -English colonists were intriguing with the Iroquois, -upholding and encouraging them in acts of hostility -against the French. War, and war in earnest, had to -come, and when 800 fresh soldiers arrived from France, -Denonville began to prepare for it. In this he had -the loyal support of the brave and wise man who -also came out as the new Governor of Montreal, -De Callières. Unluckily, Denonville began with an -act of treachery. It was a strange deed for a soldier -and a Christian. A number of Iroquois chiefs were -enticed to Fort Frontenac, where they were seized, -and, after being flung into prison, were sent to -France to work all the rest of their days in the -galleys. What a fate for such haughty braves, who -never worked, but left all labour to their poor -squaws! What wonder the revenge of the Iroquois -was terrible! -</p> - -<p> -Creeping along the St. Lawrence with his army, -Denonville crossed Lake Ontario, built a new fort, -and leaving 400 men to guard it, marched towards -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P125"></a>125}</span> -the Seneca lodges. In the middle of July 1687 a hot -battle took place with 800 Senecas, in which, after -losing six men killed and twenty wounded, the -French drove the foe into the forest. Four hundred -thousand bushels of Indian corn (maize) and several -herds of swine were found and destroyed. In the -meantime, however, while the Senecas were being -punished, the danger to Montreal and the other towns -was imminent, owing to their being without strong -military protection. To defend Chambly 120 -bushrangers were armed, and on the island of -Montreal, Callières built twenty small forts for the -inhabitants to take refuge in, should the Iroquois -descend upon them in force. For by this time, as -you can imagine, the whole of the Five Nations -were blazing with rage, as if they had been so many -bloodthirsty wolves. Even in their rage they were -cunning. They had no intention of attacking Canada -in force; that was not their method of warfare. -Crossing the border silently in batches, each singled -out his prey, some sleeping village, or mayhap an -unsuspecting farm. Next day a few mangled -corpses here, a heap of smoking ruins there, told the -terrible tale of the Iroquois raid. -</p> - -<p> -After a time the wiser heads amongst the Five -Nations began to consider whether a conquest over -the French would not make the Colonial English -(whom they called <i>Ang'ais</i> or Yankees) too powerful. -Suddenly they openly professed a desire for peace. A -deputation was sent to Canada to say that, strong as -the Iroquois knew themselves to be, they did not -mean to press for all the advantages they had the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P126"></a>126}</span> -right and power to demand. "We know," they said, -"how weak you are. We can at any time burn the -houses of your people, pillage your stores, waste your -crops, and raze your forts." To this boasting -Denonville replied that Colonel Dongan of New -York claimed the Iroquois as English subjects. "If -you are English subjects, then you must be at peace -with us, for France and England are not now at -war." "Onontio," exclaimed the chief of the Envoys, -"the Five Nations are independent! We can be -friends to one or both, or enemies to one or both. -Never have we been conquered by either of you." -</p> - -<p> -In the end a truce was proclaimed, but truce or -no truce, a great many skirmishes and massacres still -went on, on both sides. All they could do to -prevent a peace being signed, the Hurons of -Michilimackinac, allies of the French, did. To them peace -meant utter ruin; their numbers were too few, and -they well knew Denonville could not protect them -from the fury of the Iroquois. Amongst the Hurons -was a tall chief famous for his prowess in war and his -gift of eloquence. He was, according to those who -knew him, the bravest and most intelligent chief on -the whole Continent. Kondiaronk, or "The Rat," -was mortally offended that the French should have -made even a truce without so much as consulting the -wishes of their native allies. To take his revenge on -Denonville, he resolved to make peace impossible. -When the Iroquois envoys were on their way to -Montreal to sign the treaty, "The Rat" lay in -ambush with a band of his trusty Hurons. He -surprised and made them all his prisoners, slaying -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P127"></a>127}</span> -one. When they angrily explained that they were -peaceful envoys, the crafty Kondiaronk professed to -be greatly surprised, because, said he, "the French -Governor himself sent me here on purpose to waylay -you. But if, as I believe, what you say is true, -behold, I set you at liberty! May the gods curse -Onontio for having committed such an act of -treachery!" Thus saying, he loaded the deputies -with gifts and bade all but one go free. After -which Kondiaronk, glorying in his perfidy, hastened -to Michilimackinac, shaking his fist in triumph and -crying, "I have killed the peace!" He spoke then -the truth. The Iroquois prisoner he took with him, -under the pretence of adopting him in place of one -of his Hurons slain by the deputies on being attacked, -was handed over to the French Commander of Michilimackinac -as a spy. In vain the victim protested that -he was an envoy of peace between the Five Nations -and the French. In vain did he try to explain the -circumstances of his capture. Kondiaronk laughed -in his face, telling the French Commander he must -have taken leave of his wits, and the unhappy wretch -was led to the stake. An Iroquois captive was -released by Kondiaronk and bidden to return to his -tribe with this message, that while the French were -making a show of wishing peace, they were secretly -slaying and capturing the men of the Five Nations. -</p> - -<p> -Months passed while the Iroquois brooded on -vengeance. Denonville's protestations were received -in contemptuous silence. There was now nothing to -prevent formal war, for France and England had -recommenced hostilities. King James the Second had -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P128"></a>128}</span> -fled from his throne and palace to France. William of -Orange, the mortal enemy of King Louis, reigned in -his stead. A new English Governor, Andros, was -sent out to New York to foment the deadly feud -between the Iroquois and the Canadians. -</p> - -<p> -In the month of August 1689 burst at last the -storm of the Iroquois' hatred and revenge. One -night, during a heavy shower of hail, 1500 dusky -warriors crossed Lake St. Louis, landing silently -and stealthily on the beautiful island of Montreal, -the "Garden of Canada." By daybreak they had -grouped themselves in platoons, one platoon around -every large dwelling for several leagues along -the road at Lachine almost to the gates of -Montreal. The inhabitants of Lachine were wrapped -in sweet slumber, soon and ruthlessly to be -exchanged for that other slumber which knows no -mortal awakening. -</p> - -<p> -Let us conjure up the terrible picture. At each -door, in war-paint and feathers, stands a group of -savages with upraised hatchets and huge mallets. -The signal is given; it is the dread Indian -war-whoop; the next moment doors and windows are -driven inwards. Sleeping men, women, and children -are dragged from their beds. In vain they struggle -in the hands of their butchers, in vain they appeal -to those who know no pity. They might as -well appeal to wild beasts. A few houses resist -their attacks; when these are fired 200 unhappy -beings, the hope and pride of the colony, are burnt -alive. Agonising shrieks rend the air. The knife, -the torch, and the tomahawk spare none, not even -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P129"></a>129}</span> -the little children. Those who do not now die under -their tortures are led away to nameless cruelties, -which will furnish rare sport to the lodges of the -Five Nations. -</p> - -<p> -Such was the awful massacre of Lachine; such -the vengeance of the Iroquois. So swift and sudden -had been the blow that the citizens of Montreal were -paralysed. All that dreadful day the savages moved -on, and for many days afterwards, and none came to -arrest their course. Governor Denonville, to whose -policy the calamity was due, seems entirely to have -lost his nerve. A few miles from Lachine a -body of 200 troops, led by a brave officer named -Subercase, asked to be led against the murderers of -their countrymen. But Denonville, in a panic, -ordered Subercase to take refuge in Fort Roland. -All were forbidden to stir. Another body of men, -commanded by one Larobeyre, attempting to reach -Fort Roland, were set upon and cut to pieces. More -than half the prisoners were burnt by their -conquerors. Larobeyre, wounded and unable to flee, -was led captive to the Iroquois wigwams and roasted -alive at a slow fire. The bloodthirsty tribes remained -by the St. Lawrence as long as they pleased; their -ravages of the countryside continued for many -weeks. Not until October did the last of them -disappear. A small party sent by Denonville to -make sure that they had really gone, came upon -a canoe bearing twenty-two departing Iroquois -paddling across the Lake of the Two Mountains. -The chance was not one to be foregone. Too long -held in check, the Canadians drew near the savages, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P130"></a>130}</span> -who fired upon them without damage. Then with a -fierce joy the white men singled out each his man, -raised their muskets, and when the explosion came -eighteen Iroquois toppled over into the lake. But -considering the hundreds of Canadians who had been -massacred, this was a paltry retribution indeed. -</p> - -<p> -What wonder now that the men and women of -Canada longed for the strong right arm and sagacious -brain of Frontenac! Is it any marvel that they -rejoiced to hear that, menaced with the loss of his -North-American dominions, King Louis had -entrusted the gallant, fiery old soldier once more with -the government of New France. Frontenac's return -was hailed by all, nobles, soldiers, merchants, artisans, -farmers, even by the Jesuits, who five years before -had striven to send him away. He was escorted to -the fort with a multitude of torch-bearers. Well he -knew what a great task awaited him. He had now -to battle not only with the Iroquois, but with the -Anglo-American colonies, the Yankees, as they were -called by the Indians, just as his master, King Louis, -had to combat five powers at once—England, -Germany, Holland, Spain, and Savoy. -</p> - -<p> -Was Frontenac equal to the task? Was the -strain now to be placed on his shoulders too great -for the powers of a hero seventy-two years of age? -That question let the next chapter answer. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap09"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P131"></a>131}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER IX -<br /><br /> -"QUEBEC FOR KING LOUIS" -</h3> - -<p> -When Count Frontenac arrived at Quebec the -massacre at Lachine had just thrilled all Canada with -horror. It was time to be up and doing if the French -Canadians were not to be utterly exterminated, if -New France was to be saved for King Louis, then at -the height of his power and renown. Callières, the -Governor of Montreal, saw in the presence not of the -Iroquois but of the English in New York the root -of all Canada's troubles. He urged his sovereign to -strike, and King Louis had resolved to deal them a -blow once and for all, from which they would never -recover. He would banish them from New York and -plant a colony of Frenchmen instead. The plan was -entrusted to Frontenac to execute. Unfortunately for -the success of this scheme, sufficient ships and troops -and money were not forthcoming at the right moment -from France. There followed vexatious delays, and -when the French fleet at length crossed the ocean -and anchored at Chedabucto, in Acadia, the season -was too far advanced to begin operations. Meanwhile -Frontenac was not the man to let time dwell -on his hands. Against the English colonies three -war-parties were organised whose deeds of blood -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P132"></a>132}</span> -were long remembered in American homesteads and -in Indian wigwams. Frontenac saw that French -prestige had sunk so low amongst the northern and -western tribes that all were ready to make peace -with the dreaded Iroquois on any terms. At the -very name of Frenchmen the meanest brave amongst -the Five Nations laughed and spat contemptuously -on the ground. -</p> - -<p> -"Now, by St. Louis," cried Frontenac, "they shall -see how weak we are!" -</p> - -<p> -His fiery soul could not wait upon the seasons. -The three expeditions he sent forth marched amidst -the ice and snow of mid-winter, for it was by such -a stroke of daring that Canada could be saved. The -first started from Montreal, led by Mantet and -Ste. Hélène, one of the three sons of the brave Canadian -named Le Moine, and after incredible hardships -reached the village of Schenectady, on the Hudson. -They burst upon the sleeping, unsuspecting villagers -in the middle of the night, killing many and taking -numerous prisoners. When the fighting was over -they burned nearly the whole settlement to the -ground. The Indians of the party were indignant at -not being able to torture the prisoners unhindered, -for the French-Canadian leaders were not cruel by -nature. They showed gratitude to an English -colonist named Glen, who, on a previous occasion, had -treated certain French prisoners with kindness. -Glen barricaded his house, resolved to sell his life -dearly, but the Canadian captain called out to him -to have no fear. "We are your debtors, not your -enemies. Moreover, if you have any kinsmen amongst -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P133"></a>133}</span> -the captives we have taken, point them out, and they -shall go free." The Quebec Indians looked on -sulkily while the Englishman took advantage of this -handsome offer and named several of the prisoners. -"This Yankee pale-face has a terribly large family," -their chief was heard to grumble. -</p> - -<p> -The second war-party from Three Rivers, led by -the redoubtable François Hertel, wiped out the -village of Salmon Falls, butchering most of the -inhabitants; while the third, under the command -of Portneuf, attacked and captured the fort and -settlement at Casco Bay. To the disgrace of -Portneuf, he broke faith with the heroic garrison -when they surrendered, and abandoned his prisoners -to his Indian allies, who scalped and burnt them all. -</p> - -<p> -By feats such as these the tide was turned. At -last the French had exhibited proofs of their prowess, -and the Iroquois were not slow in acknowledging -that they had made a mistake when they branded -them with the name of cowards. Frontenac could -strike still as heavy a blow as in the past. The -wavering North-West tribes made haste to assure -him of their support, and the haughty Iroquois, in -spite of the arguments of the English, sent deputies -to Quebec to congratulate Onontio on his return to -the land. The furs which had been collecting for -three years in the distant ports, with none daring -enough to venture upon their transport, now began -to pour into Montreal in hundreds of canoes. Trade -began to revive, and the drooping spirits of the -colonists were exchanged for gladness and hope. -</p> - -<p> -Could the redoubtable Frontenac have thought -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P134"></a>134}</span> -that the English colonists would bear this terrible -treatment tamely? No! every mind and bosom -there was excited by the desire for revenge. -Moreover, they knew that now France's chief strength -lay in Frontenac himself. With England flying at -the throat of Old France, the King, to whom -Frontenac applied, told him bluntly that he had need -for all his soldiers in Europe. "Your demands," -wrote King Louis, "come at a wrong time. A -defensive policy is the proper one for you to -pursue." True, William the Third of England also could give -little help to the New Englanders. They, too, must -fight their own battles. To their own arms was it -left to inflict chastisement on the Canadians in the -north. Accordingly, all the colonies met in -consultation, and by great efforts a fleet of seven vessels -and several hundred men was raised in Boston. Sir -William Phips led them forth, and Port Royal, in -Acadia, was taken without much trouble. Sufficient -booty was captured to cover the cost of this -expedition, and the New Englanders returned flushed -with triumph and eager for a more daring blow. -Meanwhile a land force of 1300 men, under Colonel -Winthrop, had failed, through sickness and -mismanagement, to reach Montreal by way of Lake -Champlain. A portion of this little army had -followed Captain John Schuyler onwards, and, crossing -the Canadian border, killed a few Frenchmen near -Montreal. When it had done that, it beat a hasty -retreat. -</p> - -<p> -Such raids as these—for raids is all they were—afforded -little satisfaction to the English colonists, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P135"></a>135}</span> -burning with a desire to sweep the lilies of France -from the New World. Silently and speedily a plot -was matured, and by the next summer it was ripe. -Frontenac, thinking all was secure for the present, -had left Quebec to entertain a band of Iroquois at -Montreal to a great feast and war-dance. One -morning a messenger arrived post-haste to tell him -that the enemy in their ships were sailing up the -St. Lawrence. Not a moment was to be lost. -Summoning the Governor of Montreal and De -Ramsay of Three Rivers to follow him with every -man who could shoulder a musket, the lion-hearted -Frontenac pressed forward with all his speed. Ere -he could reach Quebec the enemy's fleet had anchored -off the Isle of Orleans. Quebec was almost in a -panic, but Frontenac's arrival instantly assuaged -their fears. He filled all with his enthusiasm. -They resolved to die rather than yield. Great -trunks of trees and casks filled with stones were -hastily heaped up where the walls were weakest. -On the enemy were trained the rows of cannon, and -2700 men firmly awaited the onslaught. Was the -danger then so great? Who was the man—who -were the men—who thus hoped to storm the -strongest citadel in New France? -</p> - -<p> -A humble blacksmith's son was William Phips, -born at Fort Pemaquid, in Maine. In his boyhood -he herded a drove of cattle. But he was a clever -boy, and having learned ship-carpentry, he built a -little vessel of his own, and as a trader went to sea. -Phips was a born sailor. In one of his many long -voyages he heard stories of a Spanish galleon filled -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P136"></a>136}</span> -with gold and silver sunk off the Island of Cuba. -Phips learnt all the particulars, satisfied himself of -his ability, and then determined to raise that ship -and make himself master of her wealth. At first -people laughed at him, but he persevered, and at last -the King had given him the command of a warship. -As he had promised, so Phips carried out his plan, -bringing to England a fortune of £300,000. With -the praise of King Charles the Second ringing in his -ears, as Sir William Phips he returned to New -England, prepared for any deed of note and valour -which fate might offer. -</p> - -<p> -To Phips, then, his New England fellow-countrymen -had entrusted their fleet, thirty-two vessels, -large and small, with 2000 men. Phips sailed forth -in a confident spirit, but when he first cast his eyes -on the great rock of Quebec and the white fleur-de-lys -floating above in the autumn air, he may have -felt some misgivings. These he sternly repressed: -it were best to put the boldest front on the matter. -Choosing a young major, he sent him with a -peremptory summons to Count Frontenac to surrender -the city. Immediately on landing from the boat -with his flag of truce, Phips's emissary was blindfolded -and led by a roundabout path to the Castle of -St. Louis, where Frontenac and most of the chief men -of the colony were assembled. His demands Phips -had written out on a sheet of paper. He was -anxious, he told Frontenac, to avoid shedding blood, -and that if the Count would surrender the fort, the -city, the stores, and their persons without delay, they -may expect mercy from him as a Christian. Otherwise -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P137"></a>137}</span> -it would go hard with the French. Capitulation -was demanded within one hour. -</p> - -<p> -The bandage was taken from the messenger's -eyes and the paper read and translated to the -company. Then the New England major took a -large silver watch from his pocket and laid it on the -table, saying haughtily, "Gentlemen, you will perceive -it is now ten o'clock. My general expects an -answer by eleven." -</p> - -<p> -Whereat the French officers assembled, flushed -with anger, only Frontenac's face remaining impassive. -"You need not wait so long," he said. He told the -envoy that the French rejected the demand. -</p> - -<p> -"Will your Excellency put that in writing?" -asked the envoy. -</p> - -<p> -Frontenac's eyes darted fire. -</p> - -<p><a id="img-136"></a></p> -<p class="capcenter"> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-136.jpg" alt="My Guns will give my Answer, Frontenac, 1690" /> -<br /> -My Guns will give my Answer, Frontenac, 1690 -</p> - -<p> -"It is by the cannon's mouth and by musket-shot -that I will send my answer. I am not in the habit -of being addressed in the style he has chosen to adopt. -Let your master do his best; I will do mine." -</p> - -<p> -Once more blindfolded, the messenger was escorted -to his boat. A little later the batteries of Quebec's -lower town opened fire on the fleet. Some of the -very first shots brought down the flag of Phips's own -vessel, seeing which from the shore, several bold -Canadians immediately swam out, and, regardless of -the musket fire from the fleet, fished the dripping -prize out of the water. Afterwards this flag was -hung as a trophy to the ceiling of Quebec Cathedral, -and there it remained until the siege and capture of -the city by General Wolfe, when it and the building -that sheltered it were consumed by fire. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P138"></a>138}</span> -</p> - -<p> -For two whole days Phips remained in a state of -indecision. The enemy was of sterner stuff than he -had supposed, and an effective plan must be concerted. -On the 18th of October 1690 Major Walley, the -second in command, with 1300 men and some small -field cannon, landed at Beauport. They had resolved -to cross the St. Charles River there and attack -Quebec in the rear. At the same time the guns of -the ships opened fire. So vigorously replied the -ramparts that Phips was obliged to draw off for a -while, not renewing his bombardment until the next -morning. By this time the New England commander -saw that unless the troops on shore could -manage to force their way into the city and capture -it by assault, his chances of success were gone. -</p> - -<p> -Valiantly, doggedly did Walley and his men try -to cross the St. Charles River. The banks were -covered with deep mud; each time they tried to -cross, the Indians and bushrangers sent by Frontenac -beat them off. After three days of cold and hunger -they were fain to give up the attempt. When they -retreated to the ships, five of their cannon were left -sticking in the Beauport mud. Yet even had they -succeeded, what a task was left them to do! There -was Frontenac watching them sharply, ready, if need -be, to go to the rescue of the outposts of carabiniers -with 2000 men. In these circumstances Sir William -Phips's siege of Quebec turned out an utter failure. -Frontenac was more than a match for him: Quebec -was not Port Royal. -</p> - -<p> -On the following day the townsfolk and soldiers -on the heights saw the discomfited fleet of the foe -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P139"></a>139}</span> -passing out of sight homeward down the St. Lawrence. -They had lost only some sixty killed and wounded,—Ste. Hélène -had fallen,—while before Phips got back -to Boston, what with those slain by bullets and the -hundreds drowned on the several ships lost in the -November storms, his loss was heavy indeed. While -Quebec sang a Te Deum and dedicated a chapel to -"Our Lady of Victories," Boston was plunged in -gloom. Phips's ignoble failure had involved the -whole colony in debt and mortification. King Louis -the Fourteenth, hearing the good news, ordered a -medal to be struck bearing the inscription: "Francia -in Nova Orbe Victrix; Kebeca Liberata A.D. MDCXC." -</p> - -<p> -If Frontenac hoped that the Iroquois would cease -after this to give him trouble, he was destined to -disappointment. All his endeavours to conciliate -them failed; their chiefs were still convinced that -they had more to hope for as allies of the English, -and took measures accordingly. English and French -colonists now hated one another with a hate that was -never to slumber for the next seventy years, until -Wolfe was to plant the blood-red flag of England on -the frowning heights of Quebec. -</p> - -<p> -During the winter of 1691 and 1692 there were -numerous terrible border raids, in one of which the -Abenakis devastated more than fifty leagues of -English territory and utterly destroyed Yorktown. -Both French and English used the Indians as so -many packs of human bloodhounds to track their foes -to death. Both sides resorted to the practice of -paying a price for the bodies, alive or dead, of the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P140"></a>140}</span> -hostile savages. A French regular soldier received -ten louis for the scalp of an Iroquois; a volunteer -received twenty. If he had to hunt the red-man -like any other wild animal, he could claim fifty louis -for his scalp. This practice was not confined to the -Canadians. Corresponding premiums were paid by -the English. -</p> - -<p> -Living captives were often handed over to their -Indian allies to appease their delight in human -suffering and bloodshed. Once one of Frontenac's -officers, ravaging the country of the Oneidas, found a -solitary old man in a certain village. He was nearly -a hundred years of age, but do not imagine his years -awakened any compassion in his captors, who at once -handed him over to their savage allies. The old -brave awaited his fate as calmly as any of those -Roman senators whose city was taken by the Gauls. -Father Charlevoix tells us the story. He says it was -a strange sight to behold more than four hundred -savage tormentors forming a circle round a decrepit -object from whom they could not wring a single cry, -and who, as long as the breath remained in his body, -taunted them with being the slaves of weak and -foolish Frenchmen. Only once did he complain, and -that was when one of his butchers, on purpose to -finish the scene, stabbed him repeatedly in the breast. -</p> - -<p> -"Ah," he murmured hoarsely, "why did you not -wait until you had done your worst, so that you -might behold how a man ought to die!" -</p> - -<p> -At another time Frontenac captured two -Mohawk warriors whom he condemned to die by -torture. One of them immediately despatched himself -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P141"></a>141}</span> -with a knife, which a pitying priest threw him in -prison. But his fellow-captive, disdaining such an -escape, walked boldly to the stake singing his death -chant. In his song he boasted that not all the -power of man could extort a groan or a murmur -from his lips, and that it was enough happiness for -him in the hour of trial to remember that he had -made many a Frenchman feel the same pangs he was -about to feel. When bound to the stake, he looked -round on his executioners, their instruments of -torture, and the multitude of French spectators -with a smile of composure. For some hours he -endured a series of barbarities that make our blood -even now, as we read of it, chill in our veins, and at -last a Frenchwoman implored the Governor to -order him to be dealt a mortal blow and so put him -out of his agony. -</p> - -<p> -Thanks to the incessant raids of the Iroquois into -Canada, the farmers dared not till the fields and sow -the seed. Those who might have protected them -were everywhere up in arms, coping with their -implacable savage foes, who seemed to rise out of -the ground on every hand. In vain was one band -beaten and cut to pieces; another sprang up to take -its place. -</p> - -<p> -Many were the heroic deeds performed by both -Canadian men and women, but none is more thrilling -than that which is told of a beautiful young girl of -fourteen, Madeleine de la Verchères. She was the -daughter of Seigneur of Verchères, and lived in -the fortified seignory ten miles from Montreal, on the -south side of the great river St. Lawrence. One -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P142"></a>142}</span> -morning her father was absent at Quebec, and all the -farm-folk were working in the fields. To guard the -fort, her father had left two soldiers, an old man -eighty years old, her two little brothers, and herself. -Suddenly the terrible war-whoop of the Iroquois -pierced the air, and scarce time had the soldiers to -barricade the doors and windows before a mighty -host appeared before the fort. So fierce was their -fire, that the soldiers deemed it useless to continue -to struggle. But not so Madeleine. Seizing a -musket, she ordered the falterers to their posts. -Day and night for a whole week did this heroic girl -hold the band of Iroquois at bay. She taught her -little brothers to load and fire so rapidly, that the -Indians fancied a garrison of twelve men at least -held the fort. At last a reinforcement arrived, and -the Iroquois beat a retreat. The gates of the fort -were flung open, and the pale, weary girl of fourteen, -captain of the garrison of Verchères, flung herself -into her father's arms. -</p> - -<p><a id="img-142"></a></p> -<p class="capcenter"> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-142.jpg" alt="Heroic Defence by Madeleine de Verchères and her Brothers, 1692" /> -<br /> -Heroic Defence by Madeleine de Verchères and her Brothers, 1692 -</p> - -<p> -And now let us return for a moment to the -shores of Hudson's Bay. It was not likely that the -forts which the Chevalier de Troyes had wrested -from the English would continue to remain in French -possession without an effort being made to regain -them. One Captain Moon, returning from Port -Nelson, endeavoured, with twenty-four men, to -surprise the French at Fort Anne, which was the -new name bestowed upon the captured Fort Albany. -Moon built a station eight miles away, but Iberville, -who had been again sent to the Bay, instantly got wind -of it, and, marching thither, drove the English out. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P143"></a>143}</span> -When two Hudson's Bay Company's vessels arrived -in these waters, winter overtook them, and they -became locked in the ice. The crews landed, and -had nearly built a fort when Iberville fell upon them -and made them all prisoners. -</p> - -<p> -But there was one stronghold in the northern -bay which continued to defy the French. This -single fort was considered of so much importance, -that the gain or loss of everything in Hudson's Bay -depended upon it. To capture it, however, required -a stronger force than Iberville could at present -command, whereupon he sailed away to France to -ask assistance from the King. He revealed to His -Majesty his plans for the capture of Fort Nelson, -and was at length promised two ships in the following -spring. The royal promise was duly kept. After -a hot bombardment of three weeks, the English -Governor was obliged to surrender and the French -standard hoisted over the captured stronghold. Only -for a year, however, did the stronghold remain in -the enemy's possession, when it was recaptured -by the Company, and threescore Frenchmen sent -prisoners to England. When Iberville heard of this -fresh turn which events had taken, he ground his -teeth with rage. "Am I," he cried, "to go on -capturing this fort from the English, only to have it -repeatedly slip through our hands?" He then and -there vowed to have nothing further to do with -Hudson's Bay, he who had fought so many battles -and won there so many victories. -</p> - -<p> -As for the French prisoners, no sooner were they -released than they crossed the Channel and sought -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P144"></a>144}</span> -audience of their King. Gazing upon this emaciated -band of fur-hunters and bushrangers, Louis the -Fourteenth would have been craven indeed if he -had not attempted to retrieve their misfortunes. -Four ships of war were promised them. "And," said -the King, "Iberville shall lead you." But Iberville -was then at Placentia, in Newfoundland, bent on -finding other fields for his energy and martial prowess. -No other man was so well equipped at all points, in -knowledge of the great bay and of the conditions of -fighting there, as this hero, so the four captains found -him out at Placentia, and, embarking in the <i>Pelican</i>, -he took command. -</p> - -<p> -Iberville's flag-ship mounted fifty guns. The -others of the fleet were the <i>Palmier</i>, the <i>Weesph</i>, and -the <i>Violent</i>. The attack on Fort Nelson this time -was to be no child's play. Almost at the very -moment when the wind was filling the sails of the -French ships in the Channel, there sailed from -Plymouth a fleet belonging to the Hudson's Bay -Company, the <i>Hampshire</i>, the <i>Hudson's Bay</i>, the -<i>Dering</i>, and <i>Owner's Love</i>. The two first-named -vessels were no strangers to the Bay, and had -participated in the conquest of the previous year. -Although each was ignorant of the other's movements, -it was a race across the Atlantic, and the -English fleet entered the Straits only forty hours -before the ships of the French, and, like them, was -much impeded by the ice, which was unusually -troublesome. Passage was made by the enemy in -the English wake. One French ship, commanded by -Duqué, pushed past the currents, taking a northerly -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P145"></a>145}</span> -course, which brought her commander into full -view of two of the Company's ships. Shots were -exchanged; but owing to the difficulties engendered -by the ice, it was impossible to manoeuvre with such -certainty as to cut off the Frenchman's escape. -While this skirmish was in progress, Iberville in -the <i>Pelican</i> succeeded in getting past the English -unknown to them, and reached the mouth of the -Nelson River in sight of the fort. His presence, as -may be imagined, greatly surprised and disturbed the -Governor and the Company's servants; for they had -believed their own ships would have arrived in season -to prevent the enemy from entering the Straits. -Several rounds of shot were fired as a signal, in -the hope that a response would be made by the -Company's ships, which they hourly expected in that -quarter. -</p> - -<p> -On his part the French commander was equally -disturbed by the non-arrival of his three consorts, -which the exigencies of the voyage had obliged him -to forsake. Two days were passed in a state of -suspense. At daybreak on the 5th of September -three ships[<a id="chap09fn1text"></a><a href="#chap09fn1">1</a>] were distinctly visible; both parties -joyfully believed they were their own. So certain -was Iberville, that he immediately raised anchor and -started to join the newcomers. He was soon -undeceived, but the knowledge of his mistake in no -way daunted him. -</p> - -<p> -The Company's commanders were not prepared -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P146"></a>146}</span> -either for the daring or the fury of the Frenchman's -onslaught. It is true the <i>Pelican</i> was much superior -to any of their own craft singly, being manned by -nearly 250 men, and boasting 44 pieces of cannon. -The Company's ships lined up, the <i>Hampshire</i> in -front, the <i>Dering</i> next, with the <i>Hudson's Bay</i> -bringing up the rear. -</p> - -<p> -The combatants being in close proximity, the -battle began at half-past nine in the morning. The -French commander came straight for the <i>Hampshire</i>, -whose captain, believing it was his enemy's design -to board, instantly let fall his mainsail and set his -fore-top-sail. Contact having been by these means -narrowly evaded, the scene of battle suddenly shifted -to the <i>Pelican</i> and the <i>Dering</i>, whose mainsail was -smitten by the terrific volley. At the same time the -<i>Hudson's Bay</i>, veering, received a damaging broadside. -The Company's men could distinctly hear the -orders shouted by Iberville to discharge a musket -fire into the <i>Dering's</i> forecastle, but in this move -he was anticipated by the English sailors, who -poured a storm of bullets in upon the Frenchman, -accompanied by a broadside of grape, which wrought -havoc with her sails. While the cries of the wounded -on the <i>Pelican</i> could be distinctly heard, all three of -the Company's ships opened fire, with the design of -disabling her rigging. But the captain of the -<i>Hudson's Bay</i>, seeing that he could not engage the -<i>Pelican</i> owing to Iberville's tactics, determined to -run in front of her and give her the benefit of a -constant hull fire, besides taking the wind from her -sails. Iberville observed the movement; the two -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P147"></a>147}</span> -English vessels were near; he veered round, and by -a superb piece of seamanship came so near to the -<i>Hampshire</i> that the crew of the latter saw that -boarding was intended. Every man flew out on the -main deck with his pistol and cutlass, and a terrific -broadside of grape on the part of the Englishman -alone saved him. -</p> - -<p> -Hotter and fiercer raged the battle. The -<i>Hampshire's</i> salvation had been only temporary; at -the end of three hours and a half she began to sink, -with all sails set. When this occurred, Iberville had -ninety men wounded, forty being struck by a single -broadside. Notwithstanding this, he decided at once -to push matters with the <i>Hampshire's</i> companions, -although the <i>Pelican</i> was in a badly damaged state, -especially the forecastle, which was a mass of -splinters. -</p> - -<p> -The enemy made at once for the <i>Dering</i>, which -besides being the smallest ship, had suffered severely. -She crowded on all sail and managed to avoid an -encounter, and Iberville, being in no condition to -prosecute the chase, returned to the <i>Hudson's Bay</i>, -which soon surrendered. Iberville was not destined, -however, to reap much advantage from his prize, the -<i>Hampshire</i>. The English flag-ship was unable to -render any assistance to the <i>Hudson's Bay</i>, and soon -went down, with nearly all on board. -</p> - -<p> -To render the situation more distressing, no -sooner had some ninety prisoners been made than a -storm arose, so that it became out of the question -to approach the shore with design of landing. They -were without a long-boat, and each attempt to -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P148"></a>148}</span> -launch canoes in the boiling surf was attended -with failure. -</p> - -<p> -Night fell; the wind instead of calming grew -fiercer. The sea became truly terrible, seeking, -seemingly, with all its power to drive the <i>Pelican</i> -and the <i>Hudson's Bay</i> upon the coast. The rudders -of each ship broke; the tide rose, and there seemed -no hope for the crews, whose destiny was so cruel. -Their only hope, in the midst of the bitter blast and -clouds of snow which environed them, lay in the -strength of their cables. Soon after nine o'clock the -<i>Hudson's Bay</i> and its anchor parted with a shock. -</p> - -<p> -"Instantly," said one of the survivors, "a piercing -cry went up from our forecastle. The wounded and -dead lay heaped up with so little separation one from -the other that silence and moans alone distinguished -them. All were icy cold and covered with blood. -They had told us the anchor would hold, and we -dreaded being washed up on the shore stiff the next -morning." -</p> - -<p> -A huge wave broke over the main deck and the -ship lurched desperately. Two hours later the cable -parted, and the ship was hurled rudderless to and fro -in the trough of the sea. -</p> - -<p> -By the French account, matters were in no more -enviable state aboard the <i>Pelican</i>; Iberville, however, -amidst scenes rivalling those just described, did his -best to animate his officers and men with a spirit -equalling his own. -</p> - -<p> -"It is better," he cried, "to die, if we must, -outside the bastions of Fort Bourbon than to perish -here like pent sheep on board." -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P149"></a>149}</span> -</p> - -<p> -When morning broke, it was seen by the French -that their ship was not yet submerged, and it was -resolved to disembark by such means as lay in -their power. The Company's servants were more -fortunate. The <i>Hudson's Bay</i> had drifted eight -miles to the south of the fort, and was wrecked -on a bank of icy marshland, which at least -constrained them to wade no deeper than their knees. -The French, however, were forced to make their -way through the icy water submerged to their necks, -from the results of which terrible exposure no fewer -than eighteen marines and seamen lost their lives. -Once on shore they could not, like the English, look -forward to a place of refuge and appease their hunger -with provisions and drink. They were obliged, in -their shivering, half-frozen state, to subsist upon -moss and seaweed, but for which indifferent -nourishment they must inevitably have perished. -</p> - -<p> -The Company's garrison witnessed the calamities -which were overtaking the French, but not knowing -how great their number, and assured of their hostility, -did not attempt any acts of mercy. They perceived -the enemy camped in a wood, less than two leagues -distant, where, building several fires, they sought to -restore their spirits by means of warmth and hot -draughts of boiled herbs. -</p> - -<p> -While the fort was being continually recruited by -survivors of the two wrecked ships, the other three -French vessels had arrived on the scene. The fourth, -the <i>Violent</i>, lay at the bottom of the Bay, having -been sunk by the ice. The <i>Palmier</i> had suffered the -loss of her helm, but was fortunate in not being also -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P150"></a>150}</span> -a victim of the storm. The French forces being -now united, little time was lost by Iberville in -making active preparations for the attack upon the -fort. -</p> - -<p> -On the 11th the enemy attained a small wood, -almost under the guns of the fort, and having -entrenched themselves, lit numerous fires and made -considerable noise in order to lend the impression to -the English that an entrenchment was being thrown -up. This ruse was successful, for the Governor gave -orders to fire in that direction; and Iberville, seizing -this opportunity, effected a landing of all his men -and armaments from the ships. -</p> - -<p> -The fort would now soon be hemmed in on all -sides, and it were indeed strange if a chance shot or -firebrand did not ignite the timbers and the powder -magazine were not exploded. Governor Bailey was -holding a council of his advisers when one of the -French prisoners in the fort gave notice of the -approach of a messenger bearing a flag of truce. -He was recognised as Martigny. The Governor -permitted his advance and sent a factor to meet him -and insist upon his eyes being bandaged before he -would be permitted to enter. Martigny was -conducted to where the council was sitting, and there -delivered Iberville's message demanding surrender. -He was instantly interrupted by Captain Smithsend, -who, with a great show of passion, asked the emissary -if it were not true that Iberville had been killed in -the action. In spite of Martigny's denials, Smithsend -loudly persisted in believing Iberville's death, and -held that the French were in sore straits and only -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P151"></a>151}</span> -made the present attack because no other alternative -was offered to desperate men to obtain food and -shelter. Bailey allowed himself to be influenced by -Smithsend, and declined to yield to any of Martigny's -demands. The latter returned, and the French -instantly set up a battery near the fort and continued, -amidst a hail of bullets, the work of landing their -damaged stores and armaments. Stragglers from the -wreck of the <i>Hudson's Bay</i> continued all day to find -their way to the fort, but several reached it only to -be shot down in mistake by the cannon and muskets -of their own men. On the 12th, after a hot skirmish, -fatal to both sides, the Governor was again requested, -this time by Sérigny, to yield up the fort to superior -numbers. -</p> - -<p> -"If you refuse, we will set fire to the place and -accord you no quarter," he wrote to Bailey. -</p> - -<p> -"Set fire and be d——d to you!" responded -Bailey. -</p> - -<p> -He then went to work, with Smithsend, whose -treatment as a prisoner in the hands of the French -some years before was still vividly before him, to -animate the garrison. -</p> - -<p> -"Go for them, you dogs!" cried Bailey. "Give it -to them hot and heavy; I promise you forty pounds -apiece for your widows!" -</p> - -<p> -Fighting in these days was attended by fearful -mortality, and the scarcity of pensions to the hero's -family, perhaps, made the offer seem handsome. At -any rate it seemed a sufficient bribe to the Company's -men, who fought like demons. -</p> - -<p> -A continual fire of guns and mortar, as well as -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P152"></a>152}</span> -of muskets, was kept up. The Canadians sallied -out upon a number of skirmishes, filling the air with -a frightful din, borrowing from the Iroquois their -piercing war-cries. In one of these sallies St. Martin, -one of their bravest men, perished. -</p> - -<p> -Under protection of a flag of truce, Sérigny came -again to demand a surrender. It was the last time, -he said, the request would be preferred. A general -assault had been resolved upon by the enemy, who -were at their last resort, living like beasts in the wood, -feeding on moss, and to whom no extremity could be -odious were it but an exchange for their present -condition. They were resolved upon carrying the fort, -even at the point of the bayonet and over heaps of -their slain. -</p> - -<p> -Bailey decided to yield. He sent Morrison to -carry the terms of capitulation, in which he demanded -all the peltries in the fort belonging to the Hudson's -Bay Company. This demand being rejected by -the enemy, Bailey later in the evening sent Henry -Kelsey with a proposition to retain a portion of their -armament; this also was refused. There was now -nothing for it but to surrender, Iberville having -granted an evacuation with bag and baggage. -</p> - -<p> -At one o'clock on the following day, therefore, -the evacuation took place. Bailey, at the head of his -garrison, and a number of the crew of the wrecked -<i>Hudson's Bay</i> and six survivors of the <i>Hampshire</i>, -marched forth from Fort York with drums beating, -flag flying, and with arms and baggage. They hardly -knew whither they were to go, or what fate awaited -them. A vast, and inhospitable region surrounded -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P153"></a>153}</span> -them, and a winter long to be remembered for its -severity had begun. But to the French it seemed as -if their spirits were undaunted, and they set forth -bravely. -</p> - -<p> -The enemy watched the retreat of the defeated -garrison not without admiration, and for the moment -speculation was rife as to their fate. But it was only -for a moment. Too rejoiced to contemplate -anything but the termination of their own sufferings, -the Canadians hastened to enter the fort, headed by -Boisbriant, late an ensign in the service of the -Compagnie du Nord. Fort Nelson was once more in the -hands of the French. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -On the St. Lawrence the Count of Frontenac, old -as he was, sickening of the perpetual raids, led a great -war force into the very midst of the Iroquois. -Rebuilding Fort Frontenac, which had been destroyed, -he launched his men straight against the Onondaga -lodges, wiping out all their stores of food and their -maize harvests. He laid low also the land of the -Oneidas, and the warriors of both tribes fled before -him. If they could raid and butcher, by St. Louis, -so could he! The Iroquois looked to the English for -help against the French. Whatever they might have -done, their hand was stopped. News arrived in 1697 -of the signing of the peace at Ryswick between the -warring kingdoms of England and France. Tired -of the conflict grew the haughty Five Nations, and -deputies were sent to Quebec to bring it to an end. -They offered, as before, to cease fighting the French -Canadians, but not their Indian allies in the west. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P154"></a>154}</span> -This would not satisfy Frontenac: he would make -no peace which could not be lasting. The Governor -of New York interfered. -</p> - -<p> -"The Iroquois," he told Frontenac, "are under -the King of England's protection. They cannot -make either war or peace on their own account. I -have told them to be at peace with you. Henceforward -you must not treat them as enemies." -</p> - -<p> -"I will make my peace with the Five Nations," -Frontenac thundered forth to the Indian deputy, "but -it shall be on my own terms. If we continue to fight -and you aid them, by St. Louis! the blood will be on -your own hands." -</p> - -<p> -A few weeks later, when the reward of his firmness -was in sight, the lion-hearted Frontenac, now in -his seventy-eighth year, sickened and died, amidst -the sorrow of his people. It was a great loss to -Canada, and fortunate was it that his successor was -as brave and wise as Governor de Callières. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="footnote"> -<a id="chap09fn1"></a> -[<a href="#chap09fn1text">1</a>] The fourth, the fire-ship <i>Owner's Love</i>, -was never more heard of. It -is supposed that, separated from the others, -she ran into the ice and was -sunk, with all on board. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap10"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P155"></a>155}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER X -<br /><br /> -KING LOUIS BUILDS A MIGHTY FORT -</h3> - -<p> -Afar off, in the little Dutch town of Ryswick, the -two kings, William and Louis, had signed the treaty -of peace. It was agreed that all the places captured -by either French or English soldiers during the war -should be given back again. What did this mean -to Canada and America? Only this: that all these -eight years of bloodshed had been in vain. Neither -French nor English were a whit the richer or more -powerful than before. You must always remember -that what both sides were really fighting for was the -mastery of the North-American continent. Vast as -it was, there was not room enough for both. One -side or other must possess it. Should it be French or -English? No lasting peace could there be as long -as the question remained unsettled. -</p> - -<p> -A great advantage was gained for Canada when -the Iroquois at length gave way. Their chiefs, -journeying to Montreal in 1701, smoked the calumet -with Governor de Callières and handed him the belt -of wampum—which signified that there should be -no more fighting between Onontio and the Five -Nations. Never again did the Iroquois make serious -trouble for the people of Canada, and the fetters -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P156"></a>156}</span> -which had so long bound the fur trade were for ever -removed. -</p> - -<p> -But the very next year after this had happened -the Peace of Ryswick came to an end. It had lasted -only five years, and it was the reckless ambition of -Louis the Fourteenth that killed it. He, too, like -Kondiaronk, "The Rat," could exclaim to his courtiers, -"I have killed the peace!" The new war is known -in Europe as the War of the Spanish Succession, -because Louis wanted to put his Bourbon nephew -on the vacant throne of Spain. In America it is -always called "Queen Anne's War." William the -Third had died that year, and Queen Anne had -succeeded him on the English throne. -</p> - -<p> -The English colonists were still as much in -earnest as ever about the importance of overcoming -by any means in their power the "French danger," -as they called it. They did not hesitate to employ -the tribes of Indians, however remote, in the work -of harrying the French settlements, both east and -west. Port Royal was again attacked, only this time -the attack was ignominiously repulsed. Meanwhile -the French were not idle. De Calliéres had strongly -advised the establishment of several posts on the -lake for the reception of furs and merchandise. -In June 1701 La Motte Cadillac, with a Jesuit -priest and 100 men, was despatched to build a -fort at Detroit. Governor de Calliéres hesitated -to attack Albany until he could feel confident -that the long-dreaded Iroquois Indians would not -return to the old allies, the English. He was still -making up his mind when illness seized him, and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P157"></a>157}</span> -in 1703 he died. His successor was the Marquis -de Vaudreuil. -</p> - -<p> -But if the authorities at Quebec doubted the -wisdom of provoking Indian hostility in their -quarrel with the New Yorkers, Vaudreuil and his -friends felt sure of Abenakis friendship. This -famous tribe had long hated the New Englanders -with a deadly hate. They had committed terrible -outrages for many years upon the unfortunate -Yankee settlers. De Vaudreuil feared that if the -Abenakis were to be at peace too long, they might -forget their hatred and even become on friendly -terms with the Americans. So Canadian priests -and soldiers were sent amongst them to stir up their -zeal. They did not want any pitched battles or long -sieges. Their policy was to persecute and slay the -outlying farmers and woodmen, to make settlement -outside of the large towns impossible. -</p> - -<p> -One of the most terrible of these raids occurred -at Deerfield in Massachusetts. This place was on -the river Connecticut. A party under De Rouville -crept up Lake Champlain in mid-winter, and, following -the river on the ice, reached Deerfield in the dark. -What had happened at Schenectady and Salmon Falls -happened here. The surprised people could make no -defence, the town was burnt, fifty people slaughtered, -almost without resistance, and a hundred more -carried away prisoners. A man never laid his head -on the pillow at night without the fear that a red -assassin might scalp it ere morning dawned. A little -later the Abenakis were induced to attack the town -of Haverhill in broad daylight. Fierce fighting -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P158"></a>158}</span> -ensued, because this time there were fifty soldiers -present to aid the inhabitants in their resistance; but -all was in vain. The massacre at Haverhill is still -spoken of with horror in New England. You can -imagine the storm of indignation which swept -through the English colonies when they heard of -these dreadful raids, how strong was their anger -against the Abenakis! Bands of stout colonists -were sent against them, eager for vengeance and -showing no mercy, and as a result the chiefs of the -Abenakis at length decided that it would be safer -for them to cross the border and set up their wigwams -in Canada. From Canada they could raid New -England as usual. But, to their surprise, they were -by no means heartily welcomed by the French. -Canadians well knew by this time the treacherous -nature of the Indian. Guns and food were given -them, and a smiling face hid the Governor's real -embarrassment. Fortunate for him if that were -to be his only embarrassment! -</p> - -<p> -Although repeatedly foiled, the people of both -New and Old England again plotted on a large scale -the destruction of French power in Canada, Acadia, -and Newfoundland. One day a ship reached Quebec -with tidings that an English army was on its way to -join with two other forces in an attack upon Quebec. -The report was true, but certain accidents occurred -which prevented carrying out the plan for that season. -In the following year (1709), however, they fell upon -Port Royal. The English intention was to sail on -to Quebec, but the danger of being caught in the -ice prevented them, and Nicholson appearing before -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P159"></a>159}</span> -the Acadian capital, called upon the brave Subercase -to surrender. Port Royal had not expected an -attack; both powder and provisions were low, but -Subercase was not a man to yield without firing a -shot. So gallant a resistance did he offer, although -his garrison was in a half-starved state, that when at -last he could fight no more, Nicholson granted him -the honours of war. With the fleur-de-lys flying in -the icy breeze, with the roll of drums and the sound -of the trumpet, the last of the shattered band of -Frenchmen sailed out of Port Royal, which was to -be Port Royal no more. In honour of Queen -Anne, Nicholson rechristened the place Annapolis -Royal, and thereafter it was held by the Queen's -successors on the English throne. -</p> - -<p> -Acadia now being English and garrisoned by -the colonists, it remained to deal a deadly blow at -Quebec. Up to this time the chief difficulty had -been to procure sufficient soldiers from England, for -during all the years since the outbreak of Queen -Anne's war England had been drained of her -first-class fighting men. The great Marlborough had -wanted them for Oudenarde, Ramillies, and those -other great battles which you read of in the history of -that time in Europe. But now, flushed and confident -with his many victories, Marlborough could afford to -spare a few regiments for the conquest of Quebec. -No child's play it was to be this time, no half-hearted -attempt. Nicholson himself was there at the -English Court to press the scheme upon Queen Anne -and her ministers. A large and splendid fleet of -fifteen warships, besides forty-six transports and store -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P160"></a>160}</span> -ships, was got ready, and with the fleet seven of -Marlborough's best regiments were ordered to set -sail for Canada. -</p> - -<p> -But it is not always big armaments, many men, -many ships, many guns, that win the famous battles -of history. Sometimes, as we have seen, so far from -winning the battle, they do not even strike a blow. -This expedition was England's shame. This, which -might have conquered Quebec for the English flag, -melted away in sorrow, disease, and disgrace, all -because of the utter incompetency of its leaders. -The Admiral, Sir Hovenden Walker, was both foolish -and perverse. As for the commander of the land -forces, Sir John Hill, he was chosen not because of -his war-like talents, but because he was a brother of -Mrs. Masham, the Queen's great personal friend. -</p> - -<p> -You may be interested in learning something of -his personal history as afterwards written by the -Duchess of Marlborough. "Abigail Hill's brother, -whom the bottle man afterwards called 'honest Jack -Hill,' was a tall boy whom I clothed (for he was all -in rags) and put to school in St. Albans. I afterwards -got my Lord Marlborough to make him groom of -the bedchamber to the Duke of Gloucester, and -though my Lord always said that Jack Hill was good -for nothing, yet to oblige me he made him his -aide-de-camp and afterwards gave him a regiment." -</p> - -<p> -Under such a commander the fleet and army, -crossing the Atlantic, arrived at Boston. Here they -were joined by two Massachusetts regiments under -the command of Samuel Vetch, a New Englander, -who had been made Governor of Annapolis. The -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P161"></a>161}</span> -plan decided upon was that Canada should be -attacked, simultaneously with Quebec and Montreal, -by 12,000 men. Surely, with such a force, it seemed -impossible to fail! But failure had marked the -enterprise for its own. A dense fog hung over the -gulf and river of St. Lawrence. In vain Admiral -Walker was warned that to steer to the north was -to advance to certain destruction. Walker simply -laughed at the advice. But his laughter had scarcely -died away ere the shrieks of drowning men rang in -his ears. Eight ships, packed close with brave -soldiers eager for the fray, were shattered to pieces in -the black fog. A terrible night ensued, a night -which has no parallel in the annals of the British -Navy. When day dawned, some Indian and French -fur-traders found 1000 bodies strewn on the beach. -There were some women amongst them, hapless -soldiers' wives, who from early times have accompanied -British expeditions, and have been present in -defeat and victory. -</p> - -<p> -After this terrible disaster the question arose -whether the attack on Quebec should be abandoned -or not. There was still a great land force left, enough -to plant the British flag on the heights of Quebec -if valour and endurance could do it. The officers -and soldiers looked with one accord to General Hill, -their commander, who had it in his power yet to -atone for the disaster which had overtaken his -comrade, Admiral Walker. When Hill spoke, it -was not to say, "Gentlemen, we will retrieve our -misfortunes," but, "Gentlemen, we will turn back." Vetch -implored him to reconsider, but orders were -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P162"></a>162}</span> -given to turn about the prows of the remaining -ships. -</p> - -<p> -After fatal delays the ill-starred fleet reached -Portsmouth again about the middle of October. -But even when safe in dock, misfortune went with it -to the last. The Admiral's flag-ship <i>Edgar</i> by -some accident blew up, killing 400 seamen, and 30 of -the townsfolk of Portsmouth who had gone on board -to learn from the sailors the melancholy tale of the -expedition. Well might the English people have -been angry, and their anger descended swiftly and -heavily upon the foolish and stubborn admiral's head. -He was driven from England, to die at last, broken -in heart, rank, and fortune, on a West Indian island. -</p> - -<p> -But what further rejoicings in Canada! What -gratitude, what repeated Te Deums for the narrow -escape the colony had had from almost certain -destruction! General Hill had caused to be printed -beforehand, and took with him, a bundle of proclamations, -calling upon the French Canadians to acknowledge -the rule of Queen Anne. A bundle of these -documents had been washed ashore, and were now -distributed amongst the people amidst derisive -laughter. So grateful did the Quebec folk feel to -Heaven for having preserved them from such peril, -that they built a memorial in Our Lady of Victories, -as the church in the lower town of Quebec was -called. De Vaudreuil appealed to the people to -help him in making yet stronger the fortifications -of Quebec, and he did not appeal in vain. Fifty -thousand écus poured into the Treasury for this -purpose. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P163"></a>163}</span> -</p> - -<p> -While Quebec and Canada were thus saved, by -the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 Great Britain obtained -cession of Acadia, Newfoundland, and the countries -bordering Hudson Bay. Forced to give up so much, -yet the French retained Cape Breton, with the right -to fortify it. King Louis made great efforts to get -Nova Scotia back into his power, but in vain. Foiled -in this, he well knew the value of Cape Breton, and -here it was resolved to erect a great fortress to -dominate the whole seaboard of Nova Scotia and -New England. In a very few years Cape Breton -became the centre of intriguing governors and -priests, always in touch with the French population -in Acadia to teach them to be discontented and -dangerous to the English rulers. Vaudreuil did -not cease to govern Canada till his death in 1725. -He always clung to the hope of regaining Acadia; -he always prevented the Abenakis from making -peace with the colonists of New England, and -encouraged them to attack the outlying settlements. -Vaudreuil still dreamed, as Frontenac had done -before him, of France ruling the whole of the great -north and west of the continent, and it was hard to -see how that prize could be wrested from her. As -the eighteenth century wore on, the chain of great -inland lakes were as French as those two great rivers, -the St. Lawrence and the Mississippi. Little by -little French priests and fur-traders pushed their way -through the wilderness, making peace with new tribes -and founding forts at the heads or junctions of -important rivers. Before Vaudreuil died, he saw all -New France prospering and in peace. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P164"></a>164}</span> -</p> - -<p> -Profit was even wrested from calamity. Once a -great ship, <i>La Seine</i>, bearing clothes and merchandise -to Quebec and Montreal, had been captured and -carried a prize to England. The loss had caused -much distress in Canada, because up to this date the -people had not grown flax and hemp, and had spun -no wool, and their clothing, therefore, came across to -them from France. In this emergency the Canadians, -particularly the women, were obliged to show their -ingenuity, and soon they began to weave coverings, -blankets, and even small carpets. They found the -fibre of a nettle would make good cloth, and the -bark of the white wood cotton-tree was pressed into -service. Slowly but surely the industry grew, until -there were twenty-five different branches of trade -producing druggets, cloths, and linens. The nuns -commenced to make bunting for their own dress, -black serge for the priests, and blue serge for their -pupils. -</p> - -<p> -At first there were no horses in Quebec or -Montreal. But at the beginning of the eighteenth -century hundreds of these animals were being bred, -and to possess and train them became a passion -amongst the young men. The result was that many -who had before been very skilful in the use of -snowshoes soon grew lazy and drove about in sleighs. -This came to the notice of the Governor, who told -them that Canada could not afford to have her young -men unaccustomed to snow-shoes. It was by means -of snow-shoes that they were able, even when a -blizzard was blowing, to move silently and swiftly in -time of war. He issued a decree which forbade any -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P165"></a>165}</span> -habitant to own more than two mares and one colt. -After a certain day any colonist possessing more -would be visited by an official ordered to kill the -extra horses, and the order was carried out. -</p> - -<p> -The population of Canada had now grown to -50,000 souls. As to life in the colony, we get an -excellent picture from the writings of Father -Charlevoix, who visited Canada in 1720, and spent -some time in making personal observations. He tells -us that the country about Montreal was wholly -unsettled by Europeans excepting several fortified -posts and block-houses, such as Frontenac, Niagara, -Detroit, Michilimackinac, and other trading stations -in the west. "In Quebec," he wrote, "one finds -nothing but what is select and calculated to form an -agreeable society. A Governor-General, with his -staff, a high-born officer and his troops, an Intendant -with a superior council and inferior court, a Commissary -of Marines and other officers, and a Superintendent -of Waters and Forests, whose jurisdiction is -certainly the largest in the world; merchants in easy -circumstances, or at least living as if they were, a -Bishop, a seminary, and three convents. -</p> - -<p> -"Other circles elsewhere are as brilliant as those -surrounding the Governor and Intendant. On the -whole, it seems to me there are for all classes the -means of passing the time agreeably. Every one -contributes to his utmost, people amuse themselves -with games and excursions, using caleches in summer, -sledges and skates in winter. There is a great deal -of hunting, for many gentle folks have no other -resources for living in comfort. The news from -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P166"></a>166}</span> -Europe comes all at once, and occupies a great part -of the year, furnishing subjects of conversation of -the past and future." -</p> - -<p> -"The Canadians," continues this eye-witness, -"breathe from their birth the air of liberty, which -renders them very agreeable in social intercourse. -Nowhere else is our language spoken with greater -purity. One observes here no defective accent. -There are here no rich people; every one is hospitable, -and no one amuses himself with making money. If -a person cannot afford to entertain friends at table, he -at least endeavours to dress well." -</p> - -<p> -From the foregoing you may be able to form a -fair picture of Canada under the Old Régime. -</p> - -<p> -Two hundred years ago, when Newfoundland was -ceded to the English, all the French officials and -fishermen removed to the eastern coast of Cape -Breton. Cape Breton, despite its name, is an island, -and was known to the French as Isle Royale. The -place whither the French retired was a safe and -spacious inlet, up to that time known as English -Harbour, and it was English Harbour that the -French king chose as the site of the greatest and -most celebrated fortress in the New World. To it -was duly given the name of Louisburg. Vauban, a -celebrated engineer of his day, was called upon to -design it. "Spare neither money nor labour," said -the King; "we shall make it another Dunkerque." This -Dunkerque, you may remember, was a fortified -seaport on the north-east coast of France, upon -which millions of money had been spent, and it was -generally believed that no enemy could take it. To -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P167"></a>167}</span> -build its equal, hundreds of engineers, stonecutters, -masons, bricklayers, and workmen sailed across the -Atlantic. When finished, Louisburg fortress occupied -an area of 100 acres, the harbour being defended by -batteries on an island at the entrance. Within -the fort and town dwelt never less than 2000 -people. With such a stronghold so near at hand, it -was not strange that the French in Acadia should -dwell firmly in the belief that the flag of the lilies -would once more wave over them. If few English -colonists came to Nova Scotia, none at all migrated -to that portion of it which was still called Acadia. -</p> - -<p> -While these things were happening in the far -east, in the west notable pioneers were forging a -path to French dominion. The far north-west was -opened up by Sieur Verendrye with his three valiant -sons, a Jesuit priest, and a handful of bushrangers. -Verendrye struck out westward through Michilimackinac. -He had heard of the great Lake Winnipeg -from the Indians and resolved to reach it. Coming -upon the Lake of the Woods, there he built a strong -fur-trading post, Fort St. Charles, where his party -were met by the Sioux, a fierce western tribe. In -the battle one of Verendrye's sons was slain. After -the explorer had finally reached Lake Winnipeg, he -crossed its waters and paddled with his party up the -Red River. One morning they came to where the -river Assiniboine joins the Red River, and there -Verendrye halted and built Fort Rouge. Hard by -a settlement grew up, which settlement has in our -day expanded at length into the great and flourishing -city of Winnipeg. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P168"></a>168}</span> -</p> - -<p> -Nothing could daunt Verendrye and his sons, -neither heat nor cold, hunger nor thirst. They -pressed on through the forest and over the prairie, -exploring and building trading posts. The news of -their travels and successes with the Indians reached -Quebec and Montreal, and a horde of hardy -bush-rangers were soon following their example. The -forts in the far wilderness grew closely packed with -costly furs. Heavily-laden canoes by the hundred -found their way by river and lake and toilsome -portage to the great stone warehouses of Montreal, -some of which are yet upstanding in the city. -</p> - -<p> -It was after the leader Verendrye's death that -one of his sons, on New Year's Day 1743, first -amongst French Canadians, beheld the lofty -snow-clad pinnacles of the Rocky Mountains. Truly, in -spite of many discouragements, the fleur-de-lys was -being borne westward valiantly. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap11"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P169"></a>169}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XI -<br /><br /> -HOW LOUISBURG SURRENDERED AND WAS GIVEN BACK -</h3> - -<p> -Twenty-seven years of peace! It was a long -respite, but long as it was, French and English -were ready to fly at each other's throats with -renewed vigour when war broke out again. Quickly -did the flames of the conflict spread to the New -World. -</p> - -<p> -Looking out from the ramparts of his strong -fortress of Louisburg, it seemed to the Governor that -the moment was a most favourable one to recapture -Nova Scotia for France. The iron was struck while -it was hot. One thousand men, led by Duvivier, were -despatched to Annapolis, which, under the name of -Port Royal, has been the scene of so many vicissitudes. -</p> - -<p> -On the way thither the French easily took Canso, -at the entrance of the strait of that name, and sent -its garrison prisoners to Louisburg. Flushed with -this victory, Duvivier marched by land to Annapolis, -held for the English by Paul Mascarene. But if the -French thought they would frighten Mascarene into -surrendering, they were mistaken. Of Huguenot -extraction, Mascarene was yet a brave and sturdy -Englishman. "We are expecting," wrote Duvivier, -"the arrival of three ships of war, carrying respectively -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P170"></a>170}</span> -seventy, sixty, and forty guns, and a regiment of -soldiers. Not that we need these, for I have already -sufficient forces to storm your fort." "Really," ran -Mascarene's reply, "it will be time to consider the -question of surrender when your French fleet is in -the harbour." Then it was Duvivier sent his brother -proposing a truce and asking for the conditional -capitulation of the garrison. The brave Mascarene -called his officers together and found that they were -not disinclined to accept the French terms. -</p> - -<p> -"We have no chance," they said; "we are -abandoned and our men losing heart; let us capitulate -while we can." They spoke so strongly, that -Mascarene allowed three of them to confer with the -French commander and obtain his proffered terms in -writing. But no sooner had he cast his eye over -the paper than Mascarene steadfastly refused to sign. -In vain his officers implored him to put his name to -the deed of surrender. He rebuked them and set -about with tact and energy to raise the spirits of his -men and reanimate them with courage. The French -renewed their attack on the fort. Day after day -and night after night they tried to wear out the -garrison, but Mascarene had now, by his patience and -good spirits, brought all to his way of thinking. Try -as they would, the French could make no impression -on the sturdy ramparts of Annapolis. -</p> - -<p> -Duvivier sickened of the siege, and during October -returned to Louisburg. No sooner had he gone than -the French Acadians were filled with fear. They -had supposed that all Acadia would have been won -for King Louis, and, realising their mistake, they -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P171"></a>171}</span> -hastened to send deputies to Mascarene declaring -that they had refused to take any part in the -expedition. At the same time they wrote to the -defeated French commander to say, "We live under -a mild and tranquil government, and we have good -reason to be faithful to it. We hope, therefore, that -you will not separate us from it, and that you will -grant us the favour not to plunge us into utter -misery." -</p> - -<p> -Soon I will have to tell you how these same -Acadians, because of their continued treachery to -the English Government, had to be transported from -this land of their birth or adoption. A great deal -has been written about the poor Acadians to excite -our sympathy for them at the fate which shortly -awaited them. You will see that they brought it -upon themselves, or rather that their leaders and -ill-advisers brought it upon them. Perfectly happy and -contented were they under English rule, but base -priests and agitators amongst them tried hard to -instil into their minds the idea of a grievance and -stirred up treachery and disaffection in their hearts. -Bitterest and most unscrupulous of these agitators -was a priest named Le Loutre. Although an able -man, he was a terrible coward, and shrank from no -crime, no falsehood, to gain his ends. Of Le -Loutre and the results of his policy we will speak -hereafter. -</p> - -<p> -The English prisoners taken at Canso spent many -weeks shut up in Louisburg. They did not wholly -idle away their time, but, examining all they saw with -such care and to such purpose, they were able on -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P172"></a>172}</span> -regaining their freedom to describe with accuracy -the plan and condition of this great fortress. Once -a French officer had said that Louisburg was so -strong that it might be held against any assault by -an army of women. Yet these English prisoners -thought they saw how Louisburg might be taken, -and their hopes were eagerly seized upon and shared -by the Governor of Massachusetts. -</p> - -<p> -Governor William Shirley was a lawyer by profession, -full of energy and enterprise, and once he -had set his mind to do a thing, difficulties seemed to -fade away. He now set his mind to the capture of -Louisburg. He believed that unless the English -had control of the whole coast from Cape Sable to -the mouth of the St. Lawrence, the safety, nay, the -very existence of New England was in constant -jeopardy. Shirley listened eagerly to what the -returned prisoners had to tell him. They had -observed the discontent and the bad discipline of the -Louisburg garrison, which consisted of 1300 men. -Their plan of the fort showed him that it was built -on a point of land jutting out into the Atlantic, while -all behind it on the land side was treacherous marsh. -From 30 to 36 feet high were the walls on the -other side of a ditch 80 feet wide. One hundred -and sixty-four guns were mounted on the walls, -besides many mortars and cohorns. On a little island -opposite Louisburg there was a battery mounted -with thirty-two heavy cannon. The ramparts were, -however, seen to be defective in more than one place, -and, besides this, if the French ships which came -over sea with provisions and reinforcements could -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P173"></a>173}</span> -be intercepted, Shirley felt there was a fair chance -of success. He wrote instantly to London asking -King George to help him with ships, but without -waiting for a reply a little fleet was raised and a land -force of 4000 men hastily got together. It was not -a very imposing army in appearance, as you may -imagine. It was chiefly composed of artisans, -farmers, fishermen, and labourers, commanded by a -merchant named William Pepperell. Although -without any military experience, Pepperell had courage -and good judgment, and was anxious to distinguish -himself. On the 24th March 1745 the ships left -Boston, and reached Canso ten days later. Here they -remained three weeks, waiting for the ice to melt in -the bays and harbours. It was at Canso that -Pepperell and his brave New Englanders were joined -by the English commodore, Warren, whom King -George had sent to help him in the capture of -Louisburg. Instantly Pepperell and his army set -off, while Warren cruised about with a fleet of ten -ships to prevent any news or assistance from reaching -the fortress. -</p> - -<p> -The Governor of Louisburg was M. Duchambon. -On the fateful night a ball was given in the town, -which the Governor, his officers, and soldiers attended. -Before the people had got to sleep it was almost -dawn, and their slumbers were quickly disturbed. -A captain, attired in his night-clothes, came rushing -into the Governor's chamber to report that a strange -fleet had been sighted by the sentries entering -Gabarus Bay, five miles distant. "French ships?" -cried Duchambon. "No, sir," answered the officer, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P174"></a>174}</span> -"I fear the English are upon us." Next moment -the cannons were booming loudly from the walls and -a peal of bells rang through the town. Pepperell -made a pretence of landing his troops at a certain -point, so as to deceive the French. A skirmish took -place, in which the French were beaten back and -some of them taken prisoners. Before nightfall -2000 of the New Englanders had planted foot on the -shore, and the next day they were joined by the rest -of their comrades. The siege of Louisburg was -begun. A hard and dangerous task was the landing -of the artillery and stores, owing to the rolling surf. -There being no wharf, the men had to wade through -the sea to bring the guns, ammunition, and provisions -on shore. This alone took an entire fortnight. -Batteries were thrown up, in spite of sallies made -from the town by French and Indians to prevent -them. An outside battery was captured, mounted -with twenty-eight heavy guns, which now belched -forth shot and shell amongst the besieged. Warehouses -and other places took fire, and great columns -of smoke hid the fort from view for days at a time. -The walls were at last seen to crumble, and when the -guns of the Americans began to close up on the -fortress, Duchambon was summoned to surrender. -He replied that he would surrender when forced to -by the cannon of the foe. The New Englanders at -last silenced the island battery, so that the English -fleet could enter the harbour and turn upon him -its 500 guns. The expected supply ship from -France, the <i>Vigilant</i>, had been captured, and -Duchambon's supply of gunpowder was exhausted. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P175"></a>175}</span> -He gave himself up to despair, and now it was that -the flag of truce was sent to the British camp asking -for terms of capitulation. -</p> - -<p> -The terms offered by Pepperell were accepted. -For forty-nine days Duchambon had defended Louisburg -bravely. He had done his best, and when the -time came to surrender he was permitted to march -out his soldiers with colours flying and drums beating. -While he abandoned the fortress by one gate, -Pepperell at the head of the victorious besiegers -entered by another. The day wound up with a -great banquet; all was rejoicing at so glorious a -victory. But terrible was the defeat and humiliation -for more than 4000 of the French in Louisburg. -They were embarked on ships and sent back to -France. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile the French flag was not lowered from -the parapets, so as to lure in any French ships -approaching those waters. The ruse was successful. -Two East Indiamen and one South Sea vessel fell -into the trap, and these prizes were afterwards found -to be worth six hundred thousand pounds. In prize -money the share of an ordinary seaman is said to -have been eight hundred guineas. -</p> - -<p> -No wonder the bells in Boston and Salem rang -out with jubilation when the tidings of the capture -of Louisburg arrived. Nor were King George II. and -his ministers less pleased. From palace and -tower cannons fixed their salute of rejoicing; many -bonfires were lit in London, and whole streets were -illuminated. Pepperell was created a baron and a -colonel in the Army. Shirley was also rewarded. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P176"></a>176}</span> -Warren was promoted to be an admiral. There is, -however, a melancholy side to this picture. The -troops left in possession of Louisburg were too elated -by success to behave themselves properly. Many -men can stand defeat who cannot endure success. -The stores of liquor in the fort were stolen, and -in spite of all the efforts of the English commandant -1000 men were found every day intoxicated. A -terrible illness raged throughout the garrison, and -when spring came it was found that out of 3000 -men 1200 had died. -</p> - -<p> -At first the people in France and in Canada -could not believe the news that Louisburg had fallen. -They had looked upon it as the key to French power -in North-America. When at length there could be -no doubt that the news was true, one thought, one -ambition filled the minds of all—the fortress must at -all hazards be retaken. It was resolved at Versailles -that an expedition should be sent out to Cape Breton -for that purpose. One of the finest fleets that ever -left the shores of France sailed away from Rochelle -the following year, commanded by the Duke d'Anville, -which consisted of thirty-nine ships of war and many -of the best soldiers in France. D'Anville had orders -to recapture Louisburg and Nova Scotia, to ravage -Boston, and turn all New England into a scene of -desolation. But man proposes, God disposes. Not -only were two of D'Anville's ships captured by English -cruisers, but he encountered such a succession of storms -and one mighty tempest, that the whole squadron -was dispersed. When, at Chebucto, D'Anville arrived -with the remnants of his fleet, his mortification -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P177"></a>177}</span> -was so great as to bring on an apoplectic stroke, from -which he died. -</p> - -<p> -On an island in what is to-day known as Halifax -Harbour, his body was buried. On the afternoon of -the very day on which the French commander died, -his Vice-Admiral, Destournelles, arrived with three -more ships, on board one of which was Canada's new -Governor, General Jonquière. When Destournelles -took command the outlook was most desperate. -More than 2000 men were stricken with fever, and -eventually died. Destournelles, seeing no hope for -success, proposed that the expedition should be -abandoned and the vessels return to France. -Jonquière and most of the officers resisted this plan. -If they could not take Louisburg, at least they could -attack Annapolis and seize Nova Scotia. Annapolis -was weak and had a small garrison, and once it were -captured, Acadia was regained for France. Moreover, -was not the priest, Le Loutre, at hand to give the -signal to the Acadians to rise against their English -masters? On seeing that they were all against him, -Admiral Destournelles retired. He thought it -reflected on his character and honour, and next morning -they found him stabbed through the breast. He had -lost his reason and flung himself upon his sword. -</p> - -<p> -It was now Jonquière's turn to lead the forlorn -expedition. But ere he could get to Annapolis -another great storm arose, scattering his fleet, and -nothing remained at last but to return dispirited to -France. At least 2500 brave Frenchmen had been -lost in this ill-fated expedition. Still undaunted by -these terrible reverses, next year the Marquis de la -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P178"></a>178}</span> -Jonquière made another attempt with another fleet. -But the English admirals, Anson and Warren, were -on the watch; a battle was fought off Cape Finisterre, -in the Bay of Biscay, and a signal defeat inflicted -on the French. This time Jonquière himself was -captured and carried to London. It seemed as if he -were fated never to reach his Governor's château at -Quebec. -</p> - -<p> -Balked in her endeavours to obtain Louisburg -again at the point of the sword, France had now -recourse to the arts of diplomacy. -</p> - -<p> -In 1748 was signed the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. -The French, you may remember, had met with -many successes in Europe and in India. They had, -for one thing, captured the province of Madras, -and so had something to offer England in exchange -for what they considered to be a greater prize than -all they had won. A bargain was therefore struck -between the diplomatists of France and England, -the former to yield back Madras if the English -would give up Louisburg. King George did not -consult the New Englanders who had striven so hard -and so valiantly to win him the prize. He consented -to the exchange, and Louisburg was handed back to -France. -</p> - -<p> -Of course when the bargain was known in -Massachusetts and New York there was great -indignation. But the wiser heads amongst the -colonists saw that the welfare of a whole empire is -greater than the welfare of any part, and so bided -their time, knowing full well that another and final -blow would some day be struck. Meanwhile, all -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P179"></a>179}</span> -the money that the colonists had spent on their -expedition was given back to them by Britain. -</p> - -<p> -Although eight years of peace followed the -Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, it was a peace only -in name. In Canada and America there were two -nations who could never be free from war until one -had conquered the other. One of the great causes -of offence and perpetual squabbling was that as yet -neither knew the precise boundaries of French and -British territory. It seems strange that where so -much land existed and so few people, that there -should be any fighting over boundaries; but if you -study the wars of history you will see there is -nothing that nations are so ready to quarrel over as -this question of boundaries. Besides, there was a -vast region constantly being explored, and even -surveyed, upon which dwelt tribes of Indians whose -allegiance was claimed by one of the two parties to -the dispute. So while the Marquis de la Jonquière -languished in an English prison, the acting -Governor-General of Canada, Galissonière, was kept extremely -busy. It was his idea, and he was never tired of -expressing it, that although Acadia had been -surrendered to England, Acadia meant only the -peninsula of Nova Scotia. As for the great region -of the west now known as New Brunswick and -Eastern Maine, that he claimed to belong to France. -He sent out several hundred French agents to -conciliate the Indian tribes, to warn off English traders, -and to mark out the boundary line between New -England and Canada. The Governor ordered forts -to be built at Gaspereau and Beauséjour, and another -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P180"></a>180}</span> -on the St. John River. In the west many other -forts were built, including Fort Ticonderoga, at the -head of Lake George. He asked King Louis to send -him 10,000 colonists to settle along the line of the -Alleghany Mountains, and so form a barrier against -the English on the east. But, however anxious he -was to keep New France, by this time King Louis -thought he had lost sufficient of his subjects in the -late wars, and refused the request. -</p> - -<p> -The English traders and frontiersmen were -meanwhile pressing westward. If France's title to -all the country on the other side of the Alleghanies -was to be something better than waste-paper, something -more must be done to assert it. Galissonière -therefore resolved to take swift and effective action. -</p> - -<p> -And so the curious episode called "The Planting -of the Leaden Plates" began. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap12"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P181"></a>181}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XII -<br /><br /> -THE ACADIANS ARE BANISHED FROM ACADIA -</h3> - -<p> -The French had really no grounds for their claims to -sovereignty over the valley of the Ohio except in the -explorations of La Salle in the previous century. -All the country south of Lake Erie was almost -unknown to the French Canadians. The regions in the -vicinity of the Ohio River were generally regarded as -belonging to the English colonies of Pennsylvania, -Virginia, and New York. -</p> - -<p> -If you will look at the old maps of America, you -will see that the map-makers never gave any boundary-line -on the west of the thirteen colonies. There was -no boundary-line. At this time, as was said in the -last chapter, English traders had crossed the Alleghany -Mountains on their fur-trading expeditions, and the -Indians, in turn, had visited the people living in the -three provinces I have named. But Galissonière -had a special reason for wanting the whole Ohio -valley in French possession. Canada and Acadia -were not the only French colonies on the North -American continent. Far to the south there was -Louisiana, which since La Salle's time had grown and -flourished exceedingly. A Canadian, De Bienville, -one of the sons of Charles le Moine, had even been -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P182"></a>182}</span> -sent to govern it. So, you see, it was of the utmost -importance to the French way of thinking that -Canada and Louisiana should be joined together by a -stretch of territory flying the French flag. It would -be fatal for Louisiana to be cut off from Canada by -English colonies, or even forts and trading posts. -For this reason Galissonière now set about proclaiming -French sovereignty over the entire Ohio valley, -as this region was called. -</p> - -<p> -In the French service there was a captain named -Célèron, a Chevalier of the Order of St. Louis. This -officer the Government despatched in the summer -of 1749 with a small force of some 200 French -soldiers, Canadian bushrangers, and Indians. With -him Célèron carried a large stock of leaden plates -with engraved inscriptions. These plates were eleven -inches long and seven and a half inches wide, and -Célèron was ordered to bury them at the foot of certain -trees marking the boundary-line which Galissonière -had drawn up on his map. Besides these leaden -plates Célèron carried an immense stock of tin shields -bearing the arms of the King of France. Every -time he buried a leaden plate at the foot of a tree, he -nailed up one of the shields on the trunk. -</p> - -<p> -Now it so happened that one of these plates was -dug up by an Indian soon after the French party had -marched on. It was sent by a Cayugan chief to a -famous English trader and colonist named William -Johnson. The chief asked Johnson to tell him what -the French meant by planting such a plate in their -territory. He thought it might be some sorcery on -the part of the northern pale-faces. Johnson had no -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P183"></a>183}</span> -love for the French. He knew exactly what they -were aiming at, and he spoke very plainly to the -chief of the Cayugas. "Brethren," said he, "this is -an affair of the greatest importance to you. Nothing -less than all your lands and your best hunting-places -are concerned. You are to be shut off entirely from -us and the rest of your brethren, the Pennsylvanians -and the Virginians, who can always supply you with -goods at a much lower rate than the French ever did -or ever could do. Under our protection you are, and -ever will be, safer and better treated than under the -French, who are your implacable enemies. The -writing on this piece of lead is sufficient of itself to -convince you of their villainous designs." The -Governor of New York afterwards sent the plate -to England, where it attracted great attention, for it -showed quite clearly what the designs of the French -were. -</p> - -<p> -By this time English statesmen began to consider -whether the step they had taken in giving back Cape -Breton to France so hastily was not a mistake. But -something to offset it might still be done. Although -Louisburg was no longer theirs, yet they had the -power to retrieve much of the prestige and many of -the advantages they had lost. Governor Shirley -dinned constantly into their ears the value of settling -an English population in Nova Scotia to counter-balance -the French Acadians who were planted there. -So at last King George was induced to issue a -proclamation offering to all officers and private men -retired from the Army or Navy, and to many others, -a free passage to Nova Scotia, besides supporting -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P184"></a>184}</span> -them for a year after landing and giving them arms, -ammunition, and a grant of land to build a dwelling. -Parliament having voted £40,000, in the summer of -1749 more than 2500 settlers, with their families, -arrived at Chebucto, now rechristened in honour of -the Earl of Halifax. -</p> - -<p> -The commander of the expedition and the chief -of the new colony was Colonel Edward Cornwallis, a -man both able and lovable. Owing to his care, -a beautiful city gradually arose on the shore of the -splendid harbour, afterwards to be crowned by the -famous citadel of Halifax. -</p> - -<p> -Soon after Cornwallis's arrival he issued a -proclamation in French and English to the Acadians -calling upon them to assist the new settlers. He did -not fail to remind them that while they had so long -enjoyed possession of their lands and the free exercise -of their religion, they had been secretly aiding King -George's enemies. But His Majesty would forgive -and forget all this if they were at once to take the oath -of allegiance and act in future as British subjects. -</p> - -<p> -Some 13,000 Frenchmen were at this time settled -in the ten villages of Acadia. To the northward -the French had built a fort of five bastions which -they called Beauséjour, and another one much similar -at Baie Verte. Their idea was to keep up communication -with Louisburg until they could strike a blow -against the English and get back Acadia again into -their own hands. -</p> - -<p> -It was at Fort Beauséjour that the priestly traitor -Le Loutre continued to create dissatisfaction and -sow the seeds of revolt amongst the thrifty, ignorant -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P185"></a>185}</span> -Acadians, who otherwise would have been happy and -contented. Their minds filled with Le Loutre's -threats and promises, they refused to take the oath -of allegiance, and even to supply the English settlers -with labour, timber, or provisions, though good prices -for these were offered. Cornwallis warned them. -"You will allow yourselves," he said, "to be led away -by people who find it to their interest to lead you -astray. It is only out of pity for your situation and -your inexperience in the ways of government that we -condescend to reason with you. Otherwise the -question would not be reasoning, but commanding -and being obeyed." -</p> - -<p> -He was very patient with them. He told them -that they had been for more than thirty-four years the -subjects of the King of Great Britain. "Show now -that you are grateful for his favours and ready to -serve your King when your services are required. -Manage to let me have here in ten days fifty of your -people to assist the poor to build their houses to -shelter them from the bad weather. They shall be -paid in ready money and fed on the King's provisions." -</p> - -<p> -Shortly thereafter Le Loutre descended from -craft to the crime of bloodshed. He aroused the -native Indians of the province, known as the -Micmacs, against the English newcomers. He sent -them out stealthily to slay and to destroy. Twenty -Englishmen were surprised and captured at Canso -while gathering hay. Eight Indians, pretending to -barter furs, went on board two English ships and tried -to surprise them. Several of the sailors were killed. -A saw-mill had been built near Halifax. Six -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P186"></a>186}</span> -unsuspecting men went out unarmed to hew some timber. -Four were killed and scalped, one was captured, and -one escaped. So frequent became the Indian attacks -that the men of Halifax formed themselves into a -militia, and a sentry paced the streets every night. -Cornwallis offered £100 for the head of Le Loutre. -Ten guineas were offered for an Indian, living or -dead, or for his scalp. -</p> - -<p> -It now became necessary also to build a fort to -counterbalance the Fort Beauséjour of the French. -The latter was erected on the western bank of a -little stream called the Missiquash which the French -claimed as the boundary between Canada and Acadia. -Opposite, at Chignecto, Colonel Lawrence was sent -with 400 men to build the English fort. Le Loutre -and his Acadians did their best to prevent the English -landing and building the fort which became known as -Fort Lawrence. The commander of this post was -named Captain Howe, a man of charming manners -who spoke French fluently. Howe reasoned with -the stubborn Acadians, many of whom saw the good -sense of his remarks, and in a short time the captain -became extremely popular. All this Le Loutre saw -with misgivings. He felt that Howe was obtaining -an influence amongst the Acadians, and so marked -him down for destruction. One bright autumn day -a Frenchman in the dress of an officer advanced to -the opposite side of the stream waving a white -handkerchief. Howe, ever polite, advanced to meet -him. As he did so, some Indians who were in -ambuscade pointed their guns at him and shot him -dead. La Corne, the French commandant, was filled -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P187"></a>187}</span> -with shame and horror at this treacherous murder. -He would like to have got rid of Le Loutre, but -the priest was too strong for him. His influence at -Quebec was great, as it was amongst the Acadian -people, who dreaded his fierce anger. -</p> - -<p> -Notwithstanding all this, there were a number of -Acadians who at last consented to take the oath of -allegiance to King George. When the French -Governor at Quebec heard of their doing so, he -issued a proclamation that all the Acadians must -swear loyalty to France and be enrolled in the -Canadian militia, or suffer the penalty of fire and -sword. By way of rejoinder, the English Governor -of Nova Scotia proclaimed that if any Acadian, -taking the oath of allegiance to King George, should -afterwards be found fighting amongst the French -soldiers, he would be shot. Thus were the poor -Acadians between two fires. A considerable number -of them removed their settlements to the Canadian -side of the boundary. Some travelled even as far as -Quebec. But the majority who remained continued -to cause great anxiety to the English authorities in -Nova Scotia. -</p> - -<p> -In 1754 the French planned an invasion of Nova -Scotia, and Halifax was filled with alarm. For they -knew that in the absence of the English fleet, Cape -Breton could send a force in a few hours to -overrun the country. As for provisions, were not the -Acadians there to furnish them to the French -invaders? In forty-eight hours 15,000 armed -Acadians could be summoned to Fort Beauséjour. -The outlying English forts would be destroyed and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P188"></a>188}</span> -Halifax starved into surrender. When this had been -captured, New England would be the next victim. -So reasoned Lawrence and Governor Shirley of -Massachusetts. Taking counsel together, they -resolved to strike a blow instantly before troops from -France or Quebec could arrive. They would seize -Fort Beauséjour and drive the French out of the -isthmus. Two thousand men were raised and the -command given to an English officer, Colonel -Monckton. On the 1st June 1755 the English -war-party arrived in Chignecto Bay. -</p> - -<p> -No longer was the gallant La Corne commandant -at Fort Beauséjour; another, dishonest and -incompetent, ruled the French stronghold. His name was -Vergor. Vergor thought little of patriotism, but -only of his purse and how much money he could -make by defrauding his King. When he saw the -English ships approach, Vergor issued a proclamation -to the Acadians round about to hasten to his defence. -Fifteen hundred responded, and three hundred of -these he took into the fort. The others he ordered -to retire into the woods and stealthily harass the -enemy. -</p> - -<p> -While the New Englanders prepared to launch -their force, the French spent the time trying to -strengthen their bastions. The strong, simple -Acadians, accustomed to hard labour, were set to -work. Over them stood Le Loutre in his shirt-sleeves -with a pipe in his mouth, encouraging them -to toil. But in spite of his zeal and his promises, so -huddled and exposed was their condition inside the -fort, that many Acadians deserted. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P189"></a>189}</span> -</p> - -<p> -Duly the bombardment began. When it was at -its height, and Vergor was hourly expecting help from -Louisburg, a letter arrived to say that assistance -could not come from that quarter. An English -squadron was cruising in front of Louisburg harbour, -and so prevented the French frigates from putting -out to sea. -</p> - -<p> -When this disquieting news leaked out at -Beauséjour, more Acadians became disheartened, and -in spite of the threats launched against them, deserted -by dozens. The bombardment continued. Next -morning at breakfast a shell from an English mortar -crashed through the ceiling of a casemate, killing -three French officers and an English captain who -had been taken prisoner. Vergor saw that he had -begun to strengthen his fort too late. There was -now no hope—the guns of the English were too near. -He despatched a flag of truce and surrendered Fort -Beauséjour. -</p> - -<p> -Having got Fort Beauséjour, henceforward to be -known as Fort Cumberland, into his hands, the -victorious Monckton sent summonses to the other -French stronghold at Baie Verte to surrender. -Seeing the situation hopeless, the French -commandant complied, and the campaign was over. -Immediate danger to English settlers in Nova Scotia -was happily removed for ever. -</p> - -<p> -And now we come to a tragedy—the most -pathetic passage in Canada's history. It is known as -the expulsion of the Acadians. You have seen the -dilemma in which the English found themselves. -They could not trust the Acadians, nor could they -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P190"></a>190}</span> -spare an army large enough to render treachery harmless. -On the other hand, they could not treat all those -thousands of people as rebels, for the great majority -of them had not fought against them at Beauséjour -and elsewhere, but had remained quiet in their -villages. The long patience of the English was now -almost worn out. Yet once again Governor Lawrence -urged them to take the oath. Once again they -stubbornly refused. -</p> - -<p> -What else could be done? Nothing. So the -decree of exile went forth. Ignorant of the trades -and callings by which they could earn a livelihood in -those countries, the Acadians could not be sent to -France or England. Colonists they were, and the -sons of colonists, suited only for a colonial life. On -banishment they would be distributed in batches -amongst the English colonies along the Atlantic -coast. -</p> - -<p> -It was a terrible thing to do, and many hearts, -even among the rude soldiers, beat warmly for the -fate of the unhappy Acadians. Those who had -taken the oath were safe in their homesteads. A -number escaped into the woods. As for the rest, -the military officers were given their instructions. -At Beauséjour 400 men were seized. Without -warning the people, Colonel Winslow marched -rapidly to Grandpré. He summoned the men of -the village to meet him in the chapel, and there he -read them the decree of banishment. In vain they -tried to escape; the doors were shut and guarded by -English soldiers. The people of village after village -were seized, until 6000 souls had been gathered -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P191"></a>191}</span> -together. Many of the Acadians never believed that -the threat would be carried out. For a long time -they had to wait for transports to bear them away. -Many had to be placed on the ships by force. Old -and young, men, women, and children, were marched -to the beach. Sometimes members of the same -family became separated from each other, never to -meet again. But the soldiers did their best to -perform their painful duty as humanely as they could. -No unnecessary harshness was permitted. -</p> - -<p> -From Minas, Chignecto, and Annapolis ship after -ship carried away their weeping burdens to -Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York, -Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia. -One of the vessels, hailing from Annapolis, was -captured by its cargo of exiles, who overpowered the -crew and made themselves masters of the ship. This -they sailed up the river St. John, where they ran it -ashore and escaped to Quebec. A few decided to -struggle southwards, however, until they reached -Louisiana, where some of their descendants are to -this day. Others, after months and even years, -returned again to Acadia, where, when Quebec and -the French flag had fallen, they were no longer a -danger to the Government. Such of the Acadians -who reached Quebec were treated very coldly and -almost died of famine. It is said that they were -reduced to four ounces of bread per day, and sought -in the gutters of Quebec to appease their hunger. -Many were forced to eat boiled leather during the -greater part of the winter. As if this were not -enough, smallpox broke out amongst them, and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P192"></a>192}</span> -many entire families were destroyed. Such, -alas! was the fate of men "whose attachment to their -mother-country was only equalled by her indifference." -</p> - -<p> -The expulsion of the Acadians may seem to us a -cruel act, but it was forced upon the English by the -hardest necessity—the necessity of self-protection. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap13"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P193"></a>193}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XIII -<br /><br /> -TERRIBLE FIGHTS OVER THE BORDER -</h3> - -<p> -The Marquis de Jonquière was released at last from -his English prison and sailed away to succeed -Galissonière as Governor of Canada. -</p> - -<p> -Jonquière's term of office is looked back upon -with shame by the people of Canada, but is it strange -that the servants of King Louis the Fifteenth in any -quarter of the world where the French flag yet flew -should be animated by low motives and a desire for -gain? See what an example their monarch set them! -Jonquière was an able man, but he was mercenary, -and thought only of lining his own pockets and those -of his creatures with the profits of the Canadian fur -trade. With him went Francis Bigot to fill the -important office of Intendant. Bigot's is one of the -most infamous names in French Canadian annals. -He was a lawyer, ambitious, intelligent, and fond of -luxury and display. Yet with all his intelligence he -fell easily a prey to the wiles of a certain Madame -Péan, who turned the King's service to her private -advantage. Servants, lackeys, upstarts were, by her -influence, placed in responsible positions. If they -happened to be ignorant and dishonest, it was no bar -to their promotion. Taxes were multiplied and the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P194"></a>194}</span> -poor people of Canada were made to suffer. Bigot -and his official band of robbers held office to the last -moment of French dominion in Canada, but -Jonquière died in the midst of his peculations and -money-making schemes. -</p> - -<p> -In 1752 his successor, the Marquis Duquesne, -appeared on the scene. Before setting out from -France, the new Governor had been ordered to -arrest the pretensions of the English to the Ohio and -western region and drive them from the territory. -No English were to be allowed to carry on trade -there. Duquesne began by sending out 300 -Canadian Militia to build a French fort on Lake -Erie, the command of which was afterwards given -to Legardeur de St. Pierre. A second fort was built -twenty miles away. -</p> - -<p> -In the meantime the English colonists continued -to cast their eyes lovingly on this great and fertile -region to the west. Almost every month exploring -parties went out, and returned full of enthusiastic -reports of its commercial advantages. By and by -a body was formed called the Ohio Company, including -amongst its members many of the leading men -of Virginia. To this Company King George granted -500,000 acres, on condition that 100 families should -be settled on the territory within seven years and -that a fort should be built. -</p> - -<p> -Seeing this, the Pennsylvanians became jealous -of Virginia and formed plans to secure the Ohio -region for themselves. Each told different and -conflicting stories to the Indians. The Virginians -tried to stir up suspicion against the Pennsylvanians, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P195"></a>195}</span> -and the Pennsylvanians retorted by creating -distrust of the Virginians. The result of all this -was that the tribes, who up to now had been -faithful to England, began to look suspiciously upon -the actions and the policy of both these colonies. -All this, of course, was playing into the hands of the -French. An English fort or two was built, but in -spite of the efforts of the Governors of New York, -Pennsylvania, and Virginia, very little was done for -several years to assert English sovereignty. The -qualities the Indians admire are vigour and courage. -When the tribes saw the bold and daring efforts of -Canada to Frenchify the western country, they were -naturally led to range themselves on the Canadian -side. -</p> - -<p> -All that happened during the next few years, of -the battles and skirmishes, the forts that were taken, -and the massacres that were carried out, does not -properly belong to Canadian history. It must, -however, be mentioned that it was at this time, when -Governor Duquesne in his citadel at Quebec was -rejoicing at the prospect of bringing the western -region under French rule, that we first hear of a -young Virginian whose name was destined to be -world famous. The name of this youth was George -Washington. He was only twenty-one years of age -when Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia sent him to -expostulate with a party of French Canadians who -had just captured an English trading fort. Getting -no satisfaction from the Commandant there, young -Washington went on to Fort Le Breuf, where, as we -have seen, Legardeur de St. Pierre was in charge. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P196"></a>196}</span> -St. Pierre received Washington courteously, but -could not give him any satisfaction. The French -were there, and there they meant to stay, in spite of -all the English protests. It was now plain that there -was serious trouble looming ahead. All these -proceedings being reported to England, at last, after -many delays, King George's ministers decided to send -a large force to America to drive the French back -across the Canadian border. The command of this -force was given to General Braddock, a stern and -peppery old soldier, wholly ignorant of Indian -warfare. Before Braddock could cross the Atlantic with -his regiments, English and French were at each -other's throats in earnest. The French had built -Fort Duquesne, and Colonel Washington, with a -force of regulars and backwoodsmen, was sent to -capture it. A bloody battle was fought, in which -Washington was defeated; and now the Indians were -more than ever on the French side. But the schemes -and labour of the last three years had undermined -Governor Duquesne's health, and a new Viceroy -appeared in Quebec. This was the Marquis de -Vaudreuil, a native of Canada, whose father had -formerly also been Governor. -</p> - -<p> -Vaudreuil entered with spirit upon the duties of -his office. He needed all his faculties, for stirring -times were in prospect. General Braddock and his -Englishmen were in the north awaiting soldiers who -were crossing the Atlantic. The French were also -resolved to maintain what their Canadian advance -guard had won. Field-Marshal Baron Dieskau was -appointed to command six regiments of French -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P197"></a>197}</span> -soldiers who left their native shores in a squadron -of fourteen battleships, four frigates, and many -transports. -</p> - -<p> -You must remember that during all this time -there had been no war. If you had asked any of the -French courtiers or ambassadors they would have -told you that perfect peace existed between the two -nations. But that was only a diplomatic fiction. -At all events, whatever was happening in Europe -between Old France and Old England, on the other -side of the great ocean New France and New -England were engaged in a life-and-death conflict. -It was not strange that the hand of both mother-countries -was extended to help them. Only if England -could have looked into the future five-and-twenty -years and seen her ungrateful American children -tearing down her noble old flag with taunts and -insults, perhaps she might not have given her help or -spilt her blood so freely to protect America from the -French. After all, it may be as well that nations do -not know all the evils that are to happen. Their -course is to do their duty manfully and honestly for -the present; posterity can take care of itself. -Moreover, the separation of America from England was -no real evil, because that separation was to build the -foundation of Canada's greatness in the British -Empire and loyalty to the British crown and flag. -</p> - -<p> -On the arrival of General Braddock the various -colonial Governors held a consultation. They decided -that the three forts, Duquesne, Niagara, and Crown -Point, at the head of Lake Champlain, should be -captured. We have already seen that another -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P198"></a>198}</span> -French fort, Beauséjour, was doomed to destruction. -It was while Beauséjour was being surrounded by -Monckton and his New Englanders that the other -expeditions were setting out for their destinations. -Braddock decided to take Fort Duquesne himself. -Governor Shirley led the expedition against Niagara, -and Colonel William Johnson was ordered to take -Crown Point. Braddock took 1000 English veterans -and 1200 Virginian Militia into the heart of the -wilderness. The commander of Fort Duquesne was -Contrecoeur. When he was told the size of Braddock's -army he saw little hope of standing a siege, but he -might intercept the English soldiers in the woods. It -was a splendid opportunity for the kind of warfare -Indians loved. Two hundred Frenchmen and 500 -redskins were sent to lie in ambush on the trail -which Braddock would take with drums beating and -fifes playing. On a beautiful July day the -scarlet-coated regiments of Braddock moved on unconscious -to their doom. Every moment they looked to see -the great walls of the Fort Duquesne burst upon their -gaze. Through the forest they came to the river, the -Monongahela, and forded it. Hardly had they crossed, -when a strange apparition sprang into the middle -of the wide woodland path. He wore war-paint and -flaming feathers, but in spite of this dress he was really -a French officer. He flung his right arm into the air as -a signal, and instantly the forest rang with savage yells. -A shower of bullets, fired by unseen hands, fell upon the -advancing English. Astonished and taken at such a -disadvantage, they yet did not hesitate to return the -fire. The intrepid French leader who had given the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P199"></a>199}</span> -signal so openly, paid for that act with his life; but it -was not easy to fight, however valiantly, against a -hidden foe. Braddock and his officers thought it -cowardly to fight behind trees; they charged hither -and thither in pursuit of the enemy, and were mowed -down like grass. The troops became at length -huddled together in a panic, shooting, if they shot -at all, blindly and without aim. In vain did the -General's aide-de-camp, Washington, urge him to -scatter his men singly under cover. Braddock, on -horseback, galloped fearlessly in every direction -ordering the ranks to advance. Not until four horses -had been shot dead beneath him did he order a -retreat. The command had scarcely passed his lips -ere a bullet pierced his body, and he fell, to rise no -more. His last words were, "We shall know better -how to deal with them another time." The retreat -soon became a disgraceful flight. Arms, baggage, -and artillery were abandoned. Yelling Indians -pursued them, only stopping in order to scalp the -helpless wounded. Had it not been for the hope of -plunder, very few of the British forces would have -escaped death or captivity. Cannons, stores, arms, -and papers fell into the hands of the victorious French. -Upwards of sixty British officers had been killed, and -of all Braddock's army less than half took refuge in -the English Fort Cumberland. -</p> - -<p> -Tidings of Braddock's defeat were carried by the -swiftest couriers to Canada, and there caused much -rejoicing. The Marquis de Vaudreuil sent the good -news off at once to his King, but his letter never -reached its destination. The ship that bore it, <i>Le -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P200"></a>200}</span> -Pierre Alexandre</i>, was overhauled by an English -man-of-war in August, and the captain threw -overboard the bag of Canadian letters. Not till nearly -two months after the battle had been fought did -the news of the victory reach France by way of -England. But it was otherwise on the American -side of the border. It put an end at once to Shirley's -expedition against Niagara. For a time it was thought -that the attack on Crown Point would also be given -up. It might have been had it been entrusted to -another man than Sir William Johnson. Johnson -was a settler on the Upper Hudson River. He had -married Mollie Brant, sister of the celebrated Chief -Brant of the Mohawks, who had acquired great -influence with the Iroquois tribes in his locality, and -it was on his account that the Mohawks refrained -from joining the French. Johnson was not a skilled -soldier, but he was wise and daring. Braddock's -papers, which had fallen into the hands of Governor -Vaudreuil at Quebec, convinced him that Crown -Point would be attacked. -</p> - -<p> -Baron Dieskau was sent with 3500 men, half of -them Canadian farmers, to go to the defence of Crown -Point. Johnson had behind him some 5000 men, -raw Militia from Massachusetts and Connecticut. -Before attacking Crown Point, Johnson deemed it -prudent to build another fort on the Hudson, known -as Fort Edward; from this fort he marched to the -foot of a large lake, to which he gave the name of his -sovereign, and there built Fort George. He was still -engaged in building it when the French general -marched upon Fort Edward. A scout brought -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P201"></a>201}</span> -Johnson the news, and immediately he despatched -1000 men to oppose his defence. Dieskau, remembering -the success of the manoeuvres against the hapless -Braddock, thought to repeat them here. He arranged -to keep his own men out of sight amongst the trees -and bushes until the enemy should pass by. Had -this plan been carried out it is probable that none of -the English forces would have escaped alive. But -the redskins set up their war-whoops a little too -soon, and the English, seeing that they were about to -fall into an ambuscade, beat an instant retreat upon -Fort Edward. Dieskau now made a hasty resolve to -bring the whole strength of his forces to bear upon -Fort George. Johnson had made this fort of great -strength, protecting it by forming trees into a sort -of breastwork, from behind which his cannons and -musketry could be used with fatal effect, but Dieskau -was not to be turned aside. He ordered his troops -to fling themselves on the fort. Legardeur de -St. Pierre was killed. Dieskau led forth the French -veterans unsupported, leaving the Canadians and -Indians scattered behind the trees. These, you will -remember, were precisely the tactics which had led to -Braddock's defeat. The soldiers advanced gallantly, -and, like the English before Fort Duquesne, were -mowed down like grass. Dieskau's body was pierced -by three bullets. A Canadian who attempted to drag -him from under the walls of the fort was shot dead, -falling across his General's legs. None now came to -his assistance. The French were beaten back and -Fort George was saved. The New England troops -left their defences. General Dieskau, while leaning -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P202"></a>202}</span> -against a tree, suffering from the wounds he had -received, was fired at and again wounded by a renegade -French Canadian, who some years before had deserted. -Dieskau reproached him for firing on a wounded -man, but the fellow answered that it was better to -kill the devil than be killed by him. The French -commander was carried to Johnson's own tent and -treated kindly. The Iroquois wanted to torture him -to death, but Johnson sternly refused. For this -victory Johnson was made a Baronet and presented -with a purse of £5000. He had begun his career as -a private in the army, and had risen to distinction from -sheer force of character. As for Dieskau, he never -recovered from his wounds, and although he was -carried back to France, it was only as a bedridden -invalid, to die. -</p> - -<p> -The French still held the positions at Niagara and -Crown Point. Three out of the four English expeditions -had failed to achieve their purpose, the French -remained undisputed masters of the Ohio valley, and -their victory over Braddock enabled them to attack -the undefended frontiers of Virginia and Pennsylvania. -During the winter of 1755-6 French war-parties -from Fort Duquesne repeatedly attacked the -settlements of the English, behaving very cruelly, and -killing or carrying away as prisoners more than -1000 souls. In spite of these temporary successes -of the French, Vaudreuil and the Indians were not -happy. All this fighting had drawn the farmers -away from the soil, and the harvest was very scanty. -The necessaries of life became very dear, but, worse -than all, dishonesty and corruption were eating out -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P203"></a>203}</span> -the very heart of Canada. The Intendant Bigot was -at the height of his infamy; he descended to every -trick of rascality to achieve his ends. -</p> - -<p> -Trade had almost ceased, the supply of beef given -out, and the people were reduced to eat horseflesh. -As the famine increased the Governor ordered flour -to be given to the people; crowds attended at the -bakers' shops struggling to be served. At first they -were given one pound apiece, afterwards only half a -pound. Owing to the scarcity of money, the promises -to pay, written on cards, were made to pass as -currency. Bigot began to issue what were called -ordinances; he issued these notes recklessly. Money -was sent from time to time from France, but it was -not enough to fill the need. The value of the paper -money went down and down, and when England -finally acquired Canada it was found that 41,000,000 -livres of ordinances were in circulation. Bigot got -up a Company to import commodities from France -and to buy up all the grain in the country districts. -The poor people had to deal with this Company and -to pay their charges. The supplies for the King's -service had to be bought from the Company in -Quebec. The citizens could procure bread only -through the Company's stores, which in the two -leading cities were known as "La Friponne" or -"The Cheat." It was in this way that gigantic frauds -were committed which paralysed the colony only to -enrich a few individuals. Canada was costing France -15,000,000 francs a year, and France had already spent -upon her 80,000,000 francs, but, distressed as she -herself was, she did not grudge these sums to her colony. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P204"></a>204}</span> -</p> - -<p> -In the spring of 1756 the people welcomed with -joy the arrival of a fresh fleet bearing 1000 soldiers, a -supply of food and ammunition, and a large sum of -money. Almost as great a boon King Louis -bestowed upon Canada when he sent her the new -Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian army, the -Marquis de Montcalm. This hero was forty-six -years old, a splendid soldier, of high character, culture, -and determination. Could Canada be saved to the -flag of the lilies? If so, surely it was the virtuous -Montcalm who could achieve this great task. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap14"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P205"></a>205}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XIV -<br /><br /> -HOW THE GALLANT WOLFE TOOK QUEBEC -</h3> - -<p> -If we were to tell the story of Canada faithfully -for the next few years, it would be only of further -battles, sieges, skirmishes, and massacres between -the French and English colonists, aided by savage -Indian warriors. -</p> - -<p> -Never before had Canada boasted so many French -soldiers as were now arrayed under the command of -Montcalm. He fell upon Oswego and destroyed it, -taking 1400 prisoners and great booty. Against him -was sent the English Earl of Loudoun, no match for -the French commander, and afraid to strike an -overwhelming blow. Loudoun at last sailed away for -Halifax with his army, thinking to make another -attack by and by on Louisburg, still in French -hands. A terrible mistake this of Loudoun's, and just -the opportunity Montcalm looked for. The French -had built a strong fortress at Ticonderoga, and now -that the danger of Loudoun's army was removed, -6000 of their troops moved swiftly out of the -fortress and attacked Fort William Henry. -</p> - -<p> -Undaunted by the great force brought against him, -the commander, Colonel Munro, answered Montcalm's -summons to surrender by saying that he would -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P206"></a>206}</span> -defend his post to the death. The French planted -their guns and the siege commenced. Day and -night the wooden ramparts of Fort William Henry -were splintered by Montcalm's cannon balls. Munro, -brave Scotsman that he was, hoped vainly that the -English garrison at Fort Edward would come to his -rescue, but their commander was afraid to send them -over. He knew that there were nearly 2000 -bloodthirsty redskins roaming at large in the woods. -They dreaded the tomahawk and scalping-knife more -than the sword and musket. Well did they know -what their fate would be if they fell into the hands, -wounded or prisoners, of those relentless savages. -</p> - -<p> -So at last one sweltering August day Munro -realised that no hope remained. He could hold out -no longer. His fort was nearly a mass of ruins, and -reluctantly he hoisted the white flag asking Montcalm -for terms of capitulation. -</p> - -<p> -The French commander allowed the brave Munro -and his soldiers to march out with the honours of -war, pledging himself to protect them from his savage -followers. Alas! Montcalm had reckoned without -his host. He might as well have tried to fetter the -summer breeze that blew across Lake George as to -balk his redskin allies of their destined prey. -They thirsted for the blood of the English. They -could not understand the French code of honour. -Of terms of capitulation they knew nothing. The -soldiers of the garrison, with their wives and children, -with a French escort, filed slowly through the woods -on their way to a refuge at Fort Edward. Suddenly -the Indians, sending up a terrible war-yell, darted -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P207"></a>207}</span> -upon them. One of the most dreadful massacres in -history now took place. The soldiers could do -nothing to defend themselves, because they had given -up their muskets to the French. They were scalped -by dozens and hundreds. Helpless women were -brained by hatchets and little children were dashed -to death against the trunks of trees. -</p> - -<p> -At the risk of their lives, Montcalm and his -officers strove to save the fugitives, but not until -nearly 1000 had been slain did they succeed. -Montcalm was pale with horror at the awful disgrace -which had stained the French name. He had given -his word that the garrison should march out -unharmed, and now his brave foes were lying in heaps -of mangled corpses in the heart of this once peaceful -forest. -</p> - -<p> -In fear lest he should punish them in his great -anger, the treacherous redskins slunk away with -their scalps and plunder. Such was the massacre of -Fort William Henry. Afterwards the fort itself was -levelled to the ground. -</p> - -<p> -This was not the only disaster the English -suffered. Twelve thousand soldiers and eighteen -battleships were sent to capture Louisburg, but after -cruising about for many weeks and losing several -vessels, the weak and cowardly Lord Loudoun did -not venture upon an attack, and sailed back to -England to meet the contempt of his fellow-countrymen. -</p> - -<p> -You can see what a critical period this was in the -history of Canada. To many it seemed a critical -period in the life of the English colonists in America. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P208"></a>208}</span> -But the French triumph was soon to be cut short. -A new and vigorous minister was called by King -George to his councils. The energy and fire of the -great William Pitt put new life into the hearts of the -English people in every part of the Empire. -Crushing his right hand down upon the map of the New -World, Pitt decreed that French dominion in Canada -must be brought to a close. Easy it was to say this. -Other English ministers had said it before, but their -misfortune was that they did not know how to make -the right plans, or to find the right men to carry out -their plans. They could not kindle the soldiers into -a flame of enthusiasm by their zeal and eloquence. -Pitt could do this. He could choose his generals for -their worth and fighting qualities, and when he -wanted a live ardent soldier, upon whom he could -rely, he chose James Wolfe. Who would have -dreamt that in the long, gaunt figure, with pale face -and straight red hair, that shuffled into the minister's -ante-chamber in the spring of 1758, was the future -conqueror of Quebec! -</p> - -<p> -General Wolfe was then thirty-two years old. -His appearance little revealed his character. A born -soldier, he had already distinguished himself on the -battlefields of Europe. In those sleepy days, before -Pitt came, his fellow-officers could not understand -Wolfe's enthusiasm. One of them told King George -that he believed Wolfe was mad. "Then," cried the -King, remembering the defeats his army had suffered, -"I only hope he will bite some of my generals!" -</p> - -<p> -Court influence succeeded in giving the nominal -command to General Amherst, but Wolfe was the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P209"></a>209}</span> -real leader. With Amherst and Wolfe sailed a -powerful fleet under Admiral Boscawen. By June -1758 the whole of this great force drew up before -the fortress of Louisburg, within whose walls was -a population of 4000 souls. The garrison consisted -of the bravest men the French could furnish, -veterans of many battlefields. The Commandant was -Drucour. But it was in vain now that the French -defended their splendid fortress. After an heroic -defence, Drucour was at last obliged to surrender, -and all the garrison were sent to England as prisoners -of war. Louisburg would give the English trouble -and anxiety no more. As if it were but a tiny -sandcastle built by children on the seashore, these mighty -stone bastions were swept away. After the surrender -the English soldiers were ordered to the duty of -destroying the stronghold of France in Cape Breton, -pulling it to pieces with pickaxe and crowbar, filling -the crevices with gunpowder, until at last hardly -a vestige remained. If you ask to see Louisburg -to-day, you will be shown only a rolling meadow upon -which sheep graze peacefully. -</p> - -<p> -Wolfe was now eager to push on to Quebec, but -he had to wait nearly a year. In the meantime the -French had triumphed on Lake Champlain. General -Abercrombie had tried to take Fort Ticonderoga -with 15,000 men, but Abercrombie was no such -soldier as James Wolfe. He had, however, with him -Lord Howe, a brave and able young officer, who was -the second in command. Had not a stray bullet struck -him down on his way to the battlefield, the story of -Ticonderoga might have had a different ending. He -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P210"></a>210}</span> -was beloved and trusted by his soldiers, and when he -died their courage seemed to die away also. -</p> - -<p> -Abercrombie foolishly thought that by his -superior numbers he could force Ticonderoga without -cannon, but Montcalm knew his strength. He was -surprised when he saw the English general hurling -his soldiers in four strong columns upon the front of -his fort. It was a battle in which superior numbers, -bravery, and perseverance were thrown away. Six -times did the English doggedly come on, and six -times did the cannon of the French sow carnage -amongst them. There was a regiment of Highlanders -fighting like tigers, some of them hacking the -wooden stocks of the outposts with their claymores -until a cannon-ball carried away their limbs. When -at last, at the close of that long bloody day, -Abercrombie drew off his troops, he left 2000 -English corpses in the glacis outside the walls of the -French fort. -</p> - -<p> -Was it strange that the hearts of the survivors -turned against him? that they did not conceal their -rejoicing when the King, after this fearful defeat, -relieved Abercrombie of his command? -</p> - -<p> -It was not, however, all a tale of repulses and -humiliation for the English. Colonel Bradstreet had -crossed Lake Ontario and captured Fort Frontenac. -General Forbes had made the French abandon Fort -Duquesne. On its site a new stronghold arose, to -which the name of Fort Pitt was given. Here in -our day is the great and flourishing city of Pittsburg. -This was not all. In the spring of the fateful year -1759, Fort Niagara fell. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P211"></a>211}</span> -</p> - -<p> -The news of the capture of Louisburg, which -caused such rejoicings in America and England, cast -a terrible gloom over French Canada. Quebec, that -splendid stronghold which had defied the English, was -now their last hope. The town and citadel on the -summit of Cape Diamond which Champlain had -founded and Frontenac guarded so well, seemed to -laugh at cannon and bayonet. Stern was the task -set before the man who should presume to scale those -heights and force the proud city to surrender. -Behind its confident aspect Quebec was the scene of -despair and corruption. Amongst the officials -reckless extravagance reigned. While Canada's fate was -trembling in the balance, the Intendant Bigot, who -should have been a pattern to the community, spent -his nights in riot and gambling. Although the King -had forbidden games of hazard, Bigot would often -play amongst a party of forty people, losing many -thousands of francs in a few hours. The King sent -out his gold to help Canada, the people crushed by -taxation gave theirs, but all the money found its -way into the pocket of Bigot and his accomplices. -</p> - -<p> -Provisions and clothing that should have gone to -the hungry, shivering French soldiers were sold at La -Friponne to reap a profit. Distant forts held bravely -for the French cried aloud for succour, but the -scoundrelly Intendant put them off with excuses, and -the money intended for them was devoted to -gaming and dissipation. In two years alone Bigot's -robberies amounted to nearly a million pounds -sterling. A time of retribution was at hand. Montcalm -wept at the vices and irregularities around him, but, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P212"></a>212}</span> -being only military commander, he could do little or -nothing. The Governor, De Vaudreuil, answered his -warnings haughtily, for he was jealous of Montcalm. -So the end approached. -</p> - -<p> -Never had England sent out an army so full of -zeal, courage, and discipline as the army which sailed -away from her shores under Wolfe to take Quebec. -Their commander well knew that he had to attack -one of the strongest forts in the world, defended by -all the soldiers that Montcalm could muster, fighting -in defence of their country, their flag, and their -religion. Wolfe had only 9000 men against the 18,000 -French Canadians, but he rejoiced in his Englishmen. -"If valour could make amends for want of numbers," -he wrote to Pitt, "we shall succeed." -</p> - -<p> -On the first day of June 1759, the ships sailed out of -the harbour of Halifax for the river St. Lawrence. -The harbour rang with the cheers of the soldiers, and -the bands struck up the old melody "The Girl I left -behind Me." When they reached the mighty river -they ran great danger for want of a pilot. A French -prisoner on board began wringing his hands, declaring -that they would all go to the bottom. An old -British captain of a transport laughed in his face: -"I will show you," he roared with an oath, "that an -Englishman shall go where a Frenchman dare not -show his nose." And he steered his ship through in -safety. The boast was no empty one. Vaudreuil -wrote to France to say "that the enemy have passed -sixty ships of war where we dare not risk a vessel of -100 tons by night or day." -</p> - -<p> -In Quebec, Montcalm during the long days of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P213"></a>213}</span> -early summer awaited the coming of the English. -Not a man was idle. Drilling and building of -earthworks filled up nearly every hour of the day. -Montcalm's 18,000 men were as strongly entrenched -as Nature and the art of war could make them. -On the 27th of June the French in Quebec snatched -their first glimpse of the masts of the English -battleships. A few hours later the English fleet had halted -before the Isle of Orleans, and Wolfe and his red-coated -infantry landed on its shores. Mounting the -point of land to the west, the young general took out -a telescope and turned it towards the heights of -Quebec, four miles away. As he scanned the mighty -rock he felt that it was indeed a hard task which -England had sent him to accomplish. -</p> - -<p> -Vaudreuil did not wait for the English commander -to make the first move; he attempted to destroy the -English fleet with fire-ships. One dark night a -number of old vessels, filled with pitch, gunpowder, -bombs, and antique cannon, packed to the muzzle, -were towed out into the channel and set on fire to -float to the English fleet. The whole countryside -seemed to burst in lurid flames, and a hail of grapeshot -and bullets flew in all directions. But the English -soldiers were not frightened; they rowed out in their -boats, grappling courageously with the flaming -monsters, and towed them to shore. Vaudreuil's -explosive experiments proved a total failure. During -that very night Wolfe was busy with pen and paper -writing his first manifesto to the Canadian people. -"We are sent by King George," he said, "to conquer -this province, but not to make war upon women and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P214"></a>214}</span> -children, the ministers of religion, or industrious -people. We lament the sufferings which our invasion -may inflict upon you, but if you remain neutral we -proffer safety to person and property, with freedom -in religion. We are masters of the river; no succour -can reach you from France; General Amherst with -a large army has sailed to the southern frontier. -Your cause is hopeless, your valour useless. Your -nation has been guilty of great cruelties to our -unprotected settlers, but we seek no revenge, we offer -you the sweets of peace with the honours of war. -England in her strength will befriend you; France -in her weakness leaves you to your fate." But -although the English commander spoke so confidently, -he had many misgivings in his heart. If Amherst -did not get through to Montreal and down the -St. Lawrence by the autumn, it meant the winter would -be lost, and where was he to find food for his troops? -How could he face amidst the snow and ice the 18,000 -men of Montcalm, as brave and as hardy as his own? -</p> - -<p> -Victory was only to be won by quick and vigorous -action. Seizing the heights of Point Lévis opposite -Quebec, Wolfe set up his batteries so as to bombard -the city. He planted a large force on the north bank -of the river St. Lawrence, near the Falls of -Montmorency, leaving some regiments encamped on the -Isle of Orleans. Fleet and army now only waited a -given signal to attack the city. On board the fleet -were some, as yet unknown, officers, who were -destined to rise to great fame in the world. A young -midshipman there was, named Jervis, who became -the great English Admiral Earl St. Vincent. Palliser -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P215"></a>215}</span> -too, who figures in history as Admiral Sir Hugh -Palliser, was on board the frigate <i>Mercury</i>. On -another vessel was Robison, destined to be a noted -Professor of Science in Edinburgh, and the partner of -James Watt, inventor of the steam-engine. The -humble sailing master of the <i>Mercury</i> was none other -than James Cook, who became the most famous -scientific navigator that ever left the shores of England. -</p> - -<p> -Quickly did the fire of the English ships, joined -to that of the batteries, work destruction upon the -outer walls of the grim fortress. In the lower town -the buildings were soon reduced to ruins, and even in -the upper town many dangerous fires broke out. -Indeed, before the siege was brought to a close, more -than 500 buildings fell a prey to the flames, including -public and private structures, the Cathedral and other -churches. Yet while the summer wore away, in spite -of Wolfe's terrible bombardment, Montcalm played -a waiting game. Wolfe was in despair. By the end -of July half of Quebec was shattered away by -his cannon-balls, and still the French commander -could not be drawn out to a battle; so the Englishman -decided to attack the enemy at close quarters, -just on the other side of the river Montmorency. -But a fierce repulse awaited him; 12,000 French -soldiers poured a storm of bullets against the brave -grenadiers, who tried to get a footing on the river -slopes. They were beaten back, 500 of Wolfe's best -troops having fallen in the fatal charge. Wolfe fretted -with impatience; he knew the time was precious. If -he could only draw Montcalm out to battle! But -Montcalm was wise; he refused to be drawn. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P216"></a>216}</span> -</p> - -<p> -"You may destroy the town," came the French -message under the flag of truce, "but you will never -get inside it." -</p> - -<p> -"I will take Quebec," replied Wolfe, "if I stay -here until November." -</p> - -<p> -One plan only now remained: it was to creep -up in the night and scale the heights. It was a -desperate move, but the only one that remained that -offered a chance of success. In the midst of his plans -the young English commander fell ill. He had -always been of a delicate constitution, ever struggling -with sickness. Days elapsed, but his heroic spirit -conquered, and on the 11th of September the English -troops were directed to be ready to land and attack -the enemy. While a portion of the troops made a -feint to the eastward to disguise Wolfe's intentions -from the enemy, Wolfe and his troops drifted up -stream with the tide. When the tide began to ebb, -boats full of soldiers were cast off, reaching in safety -a little cove three miles above Quebec. -</p> - -<p> -In the first boat to land was the young general -himself, who, as the oarsmen plied their muffled -oars, murmured softly to his officers, the famous -lines in Gray's <i>Elegy</i>:— -</p> - -<p class="poem"> - The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power,<br /> - And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave,<br /> - Await alike the inevitable hour—<br /> - The paths of glory lead but to the grave.<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -"Gentlemen," said Wolfe, "I would rather have -written those lines than take Quebec." -</p> - -<p> -As the boat's prow touched the shore, the sentinel's -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P217"></a>217}</span> -challenge rang out in the darkness, "Qui vive." To -hesitate was to be lost. Instantly a Scotch captain, -who spoke French perfectly, answered, "La France!" -</p> - -<p> -"A quel régiment?" -</p> - -<p> -"De la Heine," replied the Highlander boldly. -</p> - -<p> -His quickness averted a calamity. The sentry -was satisfied; his comrades had been expecting -provision boats from Montreal, and he thought they -had arrived. Sentry after sentry was passed by -Wolfe and his men with the same result. -</p> - -<p> -Up the dread heights the English soldiers -clambered. Day was just dawning when they -reached the top. They could see a cluster of -French tents close at hand, and, dashing forward, -they captured their occupants. This was the first -outpost. The victors' huzzas rang out, and at this -signal all Wolfe's red-coated battalions began -climbing the cliffs, and soon joined their -companions on the top. Their eyes beheld a great -plain stretched out. -</p> - -<p> -In the early days of the colony Master Abraham -Martin had owned this tract of ground, which he had -planted with corn. The people called it the Plains -of Abraham, and Wolfe now chose it for his -battlefield. On one side of him was the garrison of -Quebec, startled by hearing of his mad adventure; -on the opposite side was another French army under -Bougainville; behind was the edge of the steep cliff -and the river. -</p> - -<p> -Montcalm, deceived by the firing of the English -fleet, was far away. But at six o'clock he mounted -and galloped thither as fast as his horse would carry -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P218"></a>218}</span> -him. Two miles away he could discern the red ranks -of the British soldiers. -</p> - -<p> -"This is a serious business," he said coolly, riding -over the bridge of the St. Charles to gather his -troops for the fray. Fervently they rallied at his -command, never doubting but that they would sweep -Wolfe and his men wholly from the heights. The -eyes of the Indians, as did their tomahawks, glittered -with expectancy; as did too, the eyes and bayonets -of the white-coated battalions of Old France and the -native Canadians, whose homes were at stake. -</p> - -<p> -Brandishing his sword and again putting spurs to -his noble war-horse, Montcalm led his ranks against -the English infantry. -</p> - -<p><a id="img-218"></a></p> -<p class="capcenter"> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-218.jpg" alt="Wolfe's Army scaling the Cliff at Quebec. 1759" /> -<br /> -Wolfe's Army scaling the Cliff at Quebec. 1759 -</p> - -<p> -Wolfe waited until the French were only forty -paces away, and then from kilted Highlander and -English red-coat poured one tremendous sheet of -flame. The French staggered, but still came on. -Another fatal volley met them, inflicting awful -slaughter. As they wavered, Wolfe flourished his -sword, and amidst the weird uproar of the bagpipes, -the shrieks and groans of the wounded, the -war-whoops of the Indians, the mad shouting of the -English, and fierce slogan of the Highlanders, Wolfe -pushed on over dead and dying, behind a moving wall -of bayonets. A bullet shattered his wrist, another -pierced his body, but he kept on; a third lodged in -his breast, and Wolfe fell upon the ground. -</p> - -<p> -Two or three stalwart grenadiers bore their -beloved general quickly to the rear. "There is no -need for a surgeon," he said; "it is all over with -me!" -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P219"></a>219}</span> -</p> - -<p> -One of the grenadiers looked up and cried out, -"They run! See how they run!" -</p> - -<p> -The dying Wolfe opened his eyes and murmured, -"Who run?" -</p> - -<p> -"The enemy, sir; they give way everywhere." -</p> - -<p> -The general roused himself by a superhuman -effort. -</p> - -<p> -"Go, one of you, to Colonel Burton," he said in -quick terms of command. "Tell him to march Webb's -regiment down to Charles River to cut off their -retreat from the bridge." Then, turning on his side, -he whispered faintly, "Now, God be praised, I die in -peace." -</p> - -<p> -In a few moments the gallant Wolfe was no more. -</p> - -<p> -How fared it meanwhile with his brave enemy, -Montcalm? As he galloped about on horseback -the tide of French fugitives pressed him back towards -the gates of Quebec. He was nearing the walls -when a shot passed through his body. Mortally -wounded though he was, he kept himself seated in -the saddle, two soldiers supporting him on either side. -</p> - -<p> -As his life-blood streamed from Montcalm's body -down his horse's limbs, the frightened crowd of -women within the gates exclaimed in grief and terror, -"The Marquis is killed! the Marquis is killed!" -</p> - -<p> -"It is nothing, it is nothing," replied the dying -Montcalm: "do not be troubled for me, my good -friends." -</p> - -<p> -When, some hours later, his spirit had breathed -his last, Montcalm was buried under the floor -of the Ursuline Convent. No workman could be -found during the panic to make a coffin, and so an -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P220"></a>220}</span> -old servant gathered a few boards and nailed them -together into a rough box. No bell tolled, no cannon -fired a salute as Montcalm was laid to eternal rest. -</p> - -<p> -Not thus was the funeral of the victorious Wolfe. -His body was embalmed and borne across the sea to -England, where the greatest and most powerful -gathered to do him honour and reverence at his -funeral in Westminster Abbey. -</p> - -<p> -Yet history has struck the balance. To-day in -Quebec, marking the scene of the death-struggle on -that fateful September day, a single shaft of stone -rises to heaven to commemorate at the same time -a victory and a defeat. On the one side is graven -the single word "MONTCALM" and on the other -"WOLFE." -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap15"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P221"></a>221}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XV -<br /><br /> -LÉVIS AND THE NOBLES RETIRE TO OLD FRANCE -</h3> - -<p> -It was while Montcalm, high-spirited and valorous, -yet lay dying, that Vaudreuil, now quartered on the -Beauport Road, called a council of war. Tumult, -fear, and confusion reigned. Montcalm, seeing the -sands of his life fast running out, despatched a brief -reply. "You have a threefold choice," he said: -"to fight the English again, to retreat to Jacques -Cartier, or to surrender the colony." -</p> - -<p> -Over which choice to make, Vaudreuil hesitated. -With Bougainville's troops he could muster 3000 -men. These added to the Quebec garrison, the -Canadian militia and artillery at Beauport, would -give him a force far larger than that which had -been mustered by the heroic Wolfe on the Plains of -Abraham. When he asked the advice of the council -of war he found, to his chagrin, that all his officers -voted for retreat. "In vain," he reported to the King, -"I told these gentlemen that we were superior to the -enemy, and should beat them if we mustered. Still -I could not at all change their opinion, and my love -for the service and for the colony made me subscribe -to the voice of the council. In fact, if I had attacked -the English against the advice of the principal officers, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P222"></a>222}</span> -their ill-will would have exposed me to the risk of -losing the battle and the colony also." But the real -reason why the officers were against fighting -afterwards appeared. It was that they thought their -commander, Vaudreuil, unfit to lead them to the -fray. So Quebec, which might even now have been -prevented from falling into the hands of the English, -was left to its fate. Weary and footsore, almost -dead for want of sleep, leaving their cannon, tents, -and provisions behind them, Vaudreuil and the -Beauport army set out for the distant hill of Jacques -Cartier, where they were certain of a refuge that very -night. Never was such disorder seen before. "It -was not a retreat," wrote one of the officers -afterwards, "but an abominable flight, with such disorder -and confusion that, had the English but known it, -300 men sent after us would have been sufficient to -cut all our army to pieces. The soldiers were all -mixed, scattered, dispersed, and running as hard as -they could, as if the English army were at their -heels." -</p> - -<p> -But the English, under General Townsend, were -not so foolish as to risk the fruits of their victory by -making an attempt to pursue the French across the -St. Charles River. The people of Quebec, realising -that they were deserted by the army, without -provisions or munitions of war, and that the -defences were insufficient to repulse a bombardment -and assault, wished to surrender at once. Seeing -that they refused to fight the enemy, the commandant, -Ramésay, could only send out a flag of truce to the -hostile camp and begin negotiations for capitulation. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P223"></a>223}</span> -</p> - -<p> -But within the walls of Quebec dwelt a doughty -patriot, the town-major, named Joannès. He called -upon the soldiers and citizens to fight with their last -breath, to die as Montcalm had done rather than let -Quebec pass into the hands of the enemy. In his -rage at the cowardice about him he beat two of the -garrison with the flat of his sword. When the white -flag was raised Joannès, the bravest man in the city, -instantly hauled it down with his own hands. But -alas! it was but fighting a battle against fate. His -superior officer, Ramésay, commanded him sternly to -repair to the English camp and get the best terms of -peace he could. Through the pelting rain the -town-major of Quebec, his head thrown back defiantly, his -hand on his empty scabbard, sought the quarters of -General Townsend. There he spun out the hours in -a parley, hoping against hope that the recreant -Vaudreuil would return and try to succour the city. -Joannès kept up the negotiations as long as he could. -Losing patience at last, Townsend sent him back to -the French general with the message that if Quebec -were not surrendered before eleven o'clock, he would -capture it by assault. Ramésay, seeing all was lost, -put his name to the articles of capitulation, and -Joannès, with a heavy heart, carried the document -back to the English commander. Scarcely had he -put the walls of the city he loved behind him, when -a troop of sixty Canadian horsemen appeared with -the news that the Chevalier de Lévis was on the way -with troops and provisions to rescue Quebec. The -tidings came too late! The French general had -surrendered; he would not now break his word. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P224"></a>224}</span> -Ramésay dreaded too much the vengeance of the -English in case the news borne by the sixty horsemen -was not true, but false. How shall we picture the -feelings of the town-major Joannès? When he -returned he hid himself in a cellar and wept, while -the blood-red cross of St. George was flaunted from -the summit of the citadel. Thus at length, on the -18th September 1759, the capital town and -rock-bound fortress of New France fell into the hands of -the English. -</p> - -<p> -General Townsend recognised too well the danger -of his position not to grant favourable terms to the -enemy, whose troops and sailors were allowed to -march out of the garrison with the honours of war -and granted passage in English ships to France. -The persons and property of the inhabitants were -promised protection, and their religion was not to -be interfered with. -</p> - -<p> -But now the question was with the English, -should they keep Quebec or destroy it, as they had -destroyed Louisburg? For a moment the city's fate -trembled in the balance, and then it was resolved to -keep it. Ten battalions of the artillery and a -company of Rangers were ordered to remain behind -and through the long Canadian winter hold the -ruins of Quebec against the efforts of Lévis and the -French, for little more than ruins much of Quebec -now was. It needed enormous labour to make the -town secure against the enemy, or even habitable. -</p> - -<p> -While Townsend sailed away to England, leaving -General Murray in charge, many working parties of -soldiers were distributed through the town to clear -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P225"></a>225}</span> -the streets of rubbish and to repair the buildings for -occupation. The palace of the Intendant was turned -into winter quarters for an English regiment, which -found there quantities of unused firearms, -iron-mongery, blankets, cloths and linen, trinkets and -lace, furs, wine, sugar, moccasins, and other stores. -These were seized upon with alacrity. Nearly 7000 -English, with insufficient food and clothing, made -ready to face the approaching winter. Outposts -in the neighbourhood of Sillery, St. Foye, and -Lorette were established in order to guard against -a surprise and to cover the safety of the detachments -sent out to gather fuel in the surrounding -woods. Canadian winters are cold, and the -English soldiers were not yet hardened to their -severities, and this gathering of firewood became a -very serious business. Each detachment could make -only one trip a day to the forest, returning with a -fair-sized load on a sled drawn by hand. The soldiers -were obliged to go armed as they worked, and keep a -sharp lookout for fear of attacks by the Indians, who -were always skulking in the neighbourhood. Winter -this year set in even earlier than usual, and the brave -soldiers who had served in India and Europe were -now face to face with an enemy more terrible than -the French. Their faces, hands, and feet were often -frost-bitten, and on some occasions half the force of a -detachment would be borne back entirely disabled. -As if this were not enough, fever and scurvy prevailed -in the garrison the whole winter long, and the brave -fellows perished by scores and hundreds. Those who -died were buried in the deep snow to await interment -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P226"></a>226}</span> -in the spring, for the ground was fast locked by -frost. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile the inhabitants of the province were -disarmed and required to take the oath of allegiance -to King George. But they could not all be trusted. -The English lived in constant insecurity, and during -the winter many rumours came of a projected attack -by the French, and several skirmishes took place. -Once in November it was reported that Lévis was -about to march upon Quebec with 15,000 men the -next month, for had he not sworn an oath to eat his -Christmas dinner under the French flag within the -walls? So the half-frozen English, each man -hugging his musket in his frost-bitten fingers, waited -for the enemy. The enemy had a fine sense of -humour. In February a party of French and Indians -sent a message to the English officers that a large -company of expert hairdressers were prepared to -wait upon them whenever their services were -required! Needless to say, the English took no -notice of this handsome offer to deprive them of -their scalps. -</p> - -<p> -Not until April did the long-expected battle -occur. For months Lévis had been gathering his -forces, and now, with an army of 8000 men and many -redskins, he set out to recover the lost city of -Quebec. At the village of St. Foye, five or six miles -away, he halted. So wary had been his approach, -that Murray and his garrison were ignorant of -danger. They might have learnt it too late but for a -strange and fortunate accident. It so happened that -a frigate called the <i>Racehorse</i> had wintered in the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P227"></a>227}</span> -dock at Quebec Lower town. On board this frigate -soon after midnight the watch heard a faint cry of -distress proceeding from the river. He ran at once -to the captain, who, believing that some one was -drowning, ordered a boat to be put out to save him. -Guided by the cries, the sailors found a man lying on -a large cake of ice, wet through and half dead with -cold. Carrying him to the ship and pouring hot -cordials down his throat, the man at last found -strength to mutter that he was a soldier in Lévis's -army; he and his companions had been trying to -land just about Cap Rouge, but the boat had overturned, -and he was the sole survivor. His life had been -saved by his clambering upon a cake of floating ice. -"The army of Lévis?" echoed the puzzled ship -captain. "Just so," answered the soldier; "there are -12,000 of us. We are coming to retake Quebec." -</p> - -<p> -Although it was between two and three o'clock -in the morning, the rescued soldier was wrapped up -warmly, slung in a hammock, and carried straightway -up the heights to the commander's quarters. General -Murray was fast asleep, but, having risen and heard -the man's story, he ordered the troops under arms on -the instant. By daybreak half the English garrison, -with ten pieces of cannon, were hurled on the French -columns at St. Foye. But in his rashness and thirst -for renown, Murray had not counted well the cost. -The French had thrice as many soldiers, and although -the English fought gallantly and doggedly, they were -compelled at last to fall back. When the English -columns withdrew again to the city, they had left -1000 dead and dying men on the field of St. Foye. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P228"></a>228}</span> -</p> - -<p> -Then began what Murray dreaded most—a new -siege of Quebec. Weak his men were with sickness, -and feeble with toil, fighting, and hunger, but their -spirit was as unquenchable as ever. While Lévis -set up his siege guns in position and began a steady -bombardment of the city, the English garrison -worked unceasingly, officers and privates handling -spade and pickaxe in the same trenches together. -Not a man of them all was idle. Even the sick in -hospital filled sandbags or made wadding for the -cannons. The English fire grew hotter every day -from the 150 cannon which had been planted upon -the walls. -</p> - -<p> -All depended now on the reinforcements of troops -expected by both sides from England and from -France. Whichever arrived first would settle the -question of victory. It was on a bright May morning, -as Murray sat pondering over his despatches at -headquarters, that an officer burst in to tell him that a -ship of war had been sighted far down the river. -The news spread through the town; all were divided -between hope and fear. Was this warship French or -was she English? Every eye was strained on the -approaching ship, which displayed no colours at her -mast-head. Slowly, slowly she drew near, and then -hurrah! there unfurled to the wind the crimson flag -of England, and the first boom of a salute of -twenty-one guns reverberated across the mighty river. She -turned out to be the <i>Lowestoft</i> bringing news -that a British squadron was at the mouth of the -St. Lawrence and would reach Quebec in a few days. -"The gladness of the troops," wrote home one of the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P229"></a>229}</span> -garrison, "is not to be expressed. Both officers and -soldiers mounted the parapet in the face of the enemy -and huzzaed, with their hats in the air, for almost an -hour. The garrison, the enemy's camp, the bay -resounded with our shouts and the thunder of our -artillery, and the gunners were so elated that they did -nothing but load and fire for a considerable time." -</p> - -<p> -But if a French squadron had been first, what -a shock to their spirits, what a test of their -endurance, which they might not have overborne! -</p> - -<p> -On the heart of the gallant Chevalier de Lévis -this news fell, and brought a deadly chill. He -withdrew his troops hastily, and it was soon seen that the -French ships, which had wintered high up the river, -were fated to destruction. Of these there were six -altogether, two frigates, two small armed ships, and -two schooners. Commanding them was a daring -officer named Vauquelin. Although Vauquelin -fought with dogged determination till all his powder -and lead was spent, although he refused to lower his -colours, the English mariners overpowered him and -made him their prisoner. But the English knew a -brave man when they saw one, and Vauquelin they -treated with distinguished honour, inviting him to a -banquet and toasting him loudly as a hero. -</p> - -<p> -This was the deathblow to the hopes of Lévis. -True, he had Montreal still in his hands, but what -was Montreal without ammunition and provisions, -with the enemy clamouring at the very gates? The -Canadian Militia had deserted to their homes, and -Vaudreuil and De Lévis had to defend the city with -only 2000 disheartened troops; while against them -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P230"></a>230}</span> -was ranged a force of 17,000 English. Further -resistance was useless, and so on the 8th of September -Vaudreuil surrendered to General Murray, and Canada -and all its dependencies passed to the British Crown. -</p> - -<p> -Hopeless as the situation had been for a full year -past, ever since Wolfe had laid down his life at the -moment of victory on the Plains of Abraham, there -were some amongst the French to whom the thought -of defeat was unbearable pain. Invincible in spirit, -we see emerging through the mist of a century and a -half, the courtly, stalwart, chivalrous figure of the -Chevalier de Lévis. To be conquered while his right -arm could grip the handle of a sword was to him -unutterable disgrace. When he heard that his superior, -Vaudreuil, had agreed that the French troops should -lay down their arms and serve no longer during the -war, his manly cheek flushed and he insisted that the -negotiations should be broken off. "If," he said, "the -Marquis de Vaudreuil must surrender, let us at least -withdraw with the troops to the Island of St. Helen -in order to uphold there, on our own behalf, the -honour of the King's army." But this step Vaudreuil -could not, of course, permit, and the Chevalier could -only grind his teeth in mortification and prepare to -bid the Canada he loved an eternal farewell. -</p> - -<p> -Canada was now a British colony, and those -members of the old French Canadian families who -were unwilling to become British subjects followed -Vaudreuil and Lévis back to France. With them -also went the rascally Bigot and the traitors and -pilferers who had fattened on the distresses of their -country. Nemesis awaited them! No sooner had -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P231"></a>231}</span> -they touched French soil than they were seized and -flung into the Bastille. At first the brazen Cadet -swore, when he faced his judges, he was innocent, but -afterwards he confessed all. Bigot too denied his -knavery, until the papers signed by himself put him -to silence. His punishment was great, but far less -than he deserved; he was banished from France for -life, his property confiscated to the King, and he was -made to pay a fine of 1,500,000 francs. Cadet was -banished for nine years and fined 6,000,000 francs, -while the rest were ordered to be imprisoned until their -fines were paid, so that many who had betrayed New -France languished in the gaols of Old France and died -within those bare stone walls. -</p> - -<p> -Canada, as you have seen, had now changed masters. -But the red-man, so long the friend and ally of the -French, standing at the door of his wigwam or stealing -noiselessly in his war-paint through the forest, was -puzzled and angered. He could not understand how -it had happened; he could not understand why the flag -of the lilies should be hauled down from every fort and -trading-station, and the flag of the English or the -"Boston men," as he called them, unfurled. His -mind could not grasp the meek submission of the -Canadian pale-faces—the farmers and traders—to the -chiefs sent out by King George. "Why do you not," -said one of their braves, "leave your towns and -villages and set up your lodges in the forest? Then, -when the English are lulled into security, return and -fall upon and slay them? You can win battles by -craft and cunning as well as by numbers and cannon." But -although the French Canadians smiled and shook -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P232"></a>232}</span> -their heads at this plan, yet at the western settlements, -such as Michilimackinac, Detroit, and Presqu'Isle, -they did not scruple to tell the Indians that the -English would soon drive them from their forest homes -and hunting-grounds, and thereby to kindle hate in -their hearts for the new conquerors. The French -certainly understood the Indian character far better -than the English, who treated them with contemptuous -neglect. The vanity of the redskin chiefs -was no longer fostered, and the tribes were told -plainly that they were regarded as vassals and savages. -For the English—the Boston men—could not forget -the bloodthirsty cruelty which had been practised -upon them and their wives and children for so long, -and now that they felt that all power on the continent -was in the hollow of their hands, they would not -stoop to truckle to its aboriginal masters. -</p> - -<p> -At first the haughty redskin chiefs were taken -wholly by surprise at the contempt meted out to -them; then all their hot savage blood mounted -in their veins. All that they needed was a leader, -and they had not long to wait. A leader of their -own race, intelligent, daring, treacherous, and vain, -suddenly appeared on the scene. Pontiac was a -chieftain of the Ottawas, but so greatly had his fame -spread that all the braves of the Hurons, the Ojibways, -the Sacs, the Wyandots, the Delawares, and the -Senecas looked to him as their guide and captain. -In the strange drama which was now to thrill the -Western world, Pontiac takes the stage as the -central figure. In history this drama is called "The -Conspiracy of Pontiac." -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P233"></a>233}</span> -</p> - -<p> -It was not many months after General Murray -was ruling Canada in the name of his young master, -King George III., that Pontiac, the chieftain of the -Ottawas, saw with a keen eye the danger that -threatened his people. Either the red-man and all -the tribes would be crushed under the heel of the -pale-faces, or else they must take up their dwellings -and retreat farther into the western forests. "With -the French," said Pontiac, "we can live in friendship, -but with the restless English either we must flee afar -or we or they must die!" -</p> - -<p> -A plot grew and took shape in Pontiac's mind of -uniting all the power of the red-men and driving -the English for ever out of the whole country. He -told his audacious plot to some of the Western French -fur-traders, who expressed their joy, saying that the -King of France would surely help him, and was even -then sending out fresh hosts to slay the enemy. With -the utmost care did Pontiac lay his plans. A day -was chosen, a day in May 1763, when all the Indians -who looked to Pontiac as their leader would rise in -their might and fall with musket and tomahawk upon -their unsuspecting victims. At this time the strongest -of the western forts was Detroit, and this fort Pontiac -had arranged to surprise and seize by strategy. A -council of Indians arranged to meet Major Gladwin, -the commander, and the other English officers within -the fort on that day. They were supposed to be -entirely unarmed, but beneath his blanket each -conspirator concealed a musket, shortened by its -barrel being filed in half. While they conversed -pleasantly Pontiac was to give the signal which would -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P234"></a>234}</span> -sound the doom of the garrison. But the plot failed. -To the love of an Indian maiden for Gladwin the -English owed their lives. This young girl overheard -the plot. She could not sleep the whole of one night, -and in the morning stole hurriedly to Gladwin and -told him of Pontiac's intended treachery. Altogether -ignorant of how he had been betrayed, Pontiac -and his fellow-conspirators, with faces calm and -smiling, for the Indians can wear the most -impenetrable mask, arrived at the fort to attend the -proposed conference. To Pontiac's astonishment, he -saw the English soldiers drawn up with loaded -muskets as if for battle. Did he start back cringing -and discomfited? Nay, not a change of expression -passed his impassive features; he went on with the -conference as if nothing had happened, and afterwards, -without giving any signal, withdrew. Next morning -Pontiac again came; this time he was ordered away -from the gates of the fort. Fierce rage filled his -heart; he knew then that his plot had been revealed -to the English. Strategy had failed at Detroit, he -must now fire the torch of Indian hatred and openly -assault the stronghold. He attacked, and for months -the red-men were kept at bay until succour could -come to the heroic Gladwin and his men. -</p> - -<p> -But if the devotion of one Indian maiden had -spared Detroit, the treachery of another sacrificed -Fort Miami and the garrison of the Maumee River. -Captain Holmes, the commandant, had inspired the -jealousy of a young squaw. She believed he loved -another, and lent herself to Pontiac's schemes to -encompass the English chiefs destruction. On the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P235"></a>235}</span> -fatal morning she came to tell Holmes that her -sister was seriously ill in one of the wigwams and -desired to see him. All unsuspecting, he set out on -his mission of charity, and was shot dead on the very -threshold of the wigwam. As for his fort and -company of soldiers, they fell into the hands of the -watchful Indians. The same fate was reserved for -the forts of De Boeuf, Presqu'Isle, and Sandusky. -The blood of the colonists on the frontier of -Pennsylvania flowed freely; the scalps of Pontiac's -victims adorned many lodges. -</p> - -<p> -It soon began to appear as if Pontiac's threat -against the English had not been in vain. At -Michilimackinac strategy carried the day for the -red conspirators. On King George's birthday, the -4th June, Captain Etherington received an invitation -from the Sacs and Ojibways to witness their favourite -game of lacrosse by way of celebrating the day. -Suspecting no danger, the gate of the fort was allowed -to be left open, while the officers and soldiers, clustered -in groups outside, became deeply interested in the -progress of this most exciting game. The ball was -passed and repassed skilfully between the goals, as, -seizing their opportunity, a number of squaws, with -muskets and tomahawks hidden under their blankets, -stole unseen through the gates. Soon the ball bounced -against the pallisade, and instantly a swarm of players -dashed after it. In the twinkling of an eye they had -darted through the open gates and snatched their -weapons from the waiting squaws. Before the -garrison could realise what had happened, fifteen of -them lay weltering in their blood, and the rest were -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P236"></a>236}</span> -taken prisoners. Thus in only six weeks from the -day of the first attack of Pontiac on Detroit, all the -forts in the western country, except three, were -seized and destroyed and the garrisons massacred or -made prisoners. -</p> - -<p> -To Pontiac and his men Fort Pitt bade defiance. -After some weeks' delay Colonel Bouquet was sent -out to reinforce it. Bouquet met and defeated the -Delaware and Shawanoe tribes, and gave them so -sound a beating that the tide against the English -began to turn. The misguided chiefs slowly came -to see that the power of England was greater than -they had supposed, and that of France extinguished -for ever. In the following year several Indian tribes -were defeated, and Pontiac, now deserted by many -of his allies, was obliged to fall back farther into the -west. Two years later the mighty chief's power was -broken, and he was forced to submit. So ended the -great conspiracy. The hundreds of prisoners whom -Pontiac and his Indians had captured in their raids -were at last restored to families which had, not -without reason, supposed them to be dead. Parties -of rescuers found that some of the young English -girls had actually fallen in love with their savage -captors and had wedded them in Indian fashion. -Children had forgotten their parents. One girl only -remembered her childhood when the strains of a -lullaby fell from the lips of her rejoicing mother, whose -face was strange to her. -</p> - -<p> -Pontiac himself vanished with ignominy from -history. Fallen from his high estate, defeated in his -ambitious hopes, he engaged in a drunken bout with -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P237"></a>237}</span> -a warrior of the Illinois nation. From words the -pair proceeded to blows, tomahawks flashed in the -air, and the once powerful chieftain was laid low. -Such was the ending to the career of a savage enemy -whose name had caused the people in the English -colonies to tremble for so long. But Pontiac and -his conspiracy had taught the new conquerors a -lesson. Justice and forbearance not only towards -the French Canadians but towards the red-men was -thenceforward the policy of English Canada. -</p> - -<p> -All seemed now fair sailing for all the colonies -under the rule of King George. But war-clouds -were already mounting above the horizon which -would gather in size and intensity as the years ran -on. More blood would be spilt in Canada and on -the great continent of which Canada forms so -important a part. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap16"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P238"></a>238}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XVI -<br /><br /> -THE COMING OF THE LOYALISTS -</h3> - -<p> -Fifteen years after Wolfe's victorious battle the -restless American colonists were ready to revolt and -cut themselves loose from the empire which had -been won so painfully, so valiantly, and at such cost. -Glad enough had they been of the protection of -King George and King George's soldiers when the -French menaced them from the north and the -unsubdued tribes of fierce savages were threatening to -drive them into the sea. But now that the power of -both French and Indian had been crushed, when the -thousands of brave English soldiers had been laid at -rest amid the Canadian snows, the colonists felt a -security they had never known before. They had -now at their threshold no foe to fear, and as men -dislike all authority which is not of their own -choosing, demagogues and agitators quickly set to -work to induce the Americans to throw off with -violence what was called "the British yoke." -</p> - -<p> -The British yoke consisted chiefly in a demand -that the colonies should help to pay something of -the cost the recent wars had entailed upon the -mother-country. The mother-country asked to be -helped to bear her burden, and in reply her -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P239"></a>239}</span> -daughterland—America—flew at her throat. But this is not -the place in which to tell the story of the American -Revolution. It was clear from the very first that -Canada would be involved, and so certain were the -American agitators and traitors to the King that -Canada would join them, that they set up what was -called "The Continental Congress" at Philadelphia. -To their intense astonishment and chagrin Canada -would have nothing to do with their designs. "The -Continental Congress!" cried the loyal Governor, Sir -Guy Carleton; "let me tell you that Canada on this -continent will have none of your disloyalty!" So -the Americans made up their minds to swoop down -upon Canada and capture it before further English -troops could come to its assistance. -</p> - -<p> -Ticonderoga and Crown Point were surprised -in rough-and-ready fashion by Ethan Allen and -his "Green Mountain Boys." Through the old -war-path leading into Canada, General Richard -Montgomery, an Irish officer who had turned against -his King, was sent to Montreal with an army of 3000 -men. But as we have seen many times, to capture -Montreal was not quite the same thing as capturing -Quebec. Yet both might have succeeded if the -Canadians had proved false. -</p> - -<p> -For the mission to Quebec a strong, daring, -even reckless character was needed, and such a one -sprang up suddenly to notice in the American army. -The name of this man was Benedict Arnold. It is a -name which history has covered with infamy because -of its owner's subsequent treason to the American -cause. But nothing that he afterwards did can -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P240"></a>240}</span> -obliterate the fact that Arnold was fearless, enterprising, -and generous-minded, and the equal in origin -and manners of most of the American military -officers of that day. Arnold had been successively -druggist, bookseller, horse-dealer, shipowner, and -shipmaster, and at thirty-five years of age found -himself burning with military zeal and anxious to -distinguish himself. He proposed to lead the 1100 -men he had raised, by way of river and wilderness, -over the mountains of Maine to Quebec and capture -that city by surprise. His little force was composed -of the roughest elements: ten companies of -musketeers and three of riflemen, the latter hailed -from the hills of Virginia and Pennsylvania, hunters -and Indian fighters, wise in woodcraft, handy with -the rifle, the hunting-knife, and birch-bark canoe, -accustomed to hunger, exposure, and fatigue. They -were armed each with a good rifle, a tomahawk, a -long knife, a small axe, and dressed in a hunting-shirt -of deer-skin, with moccasins and leggings of the -same material. By the middle of September 1775 -Arnold and his daring band were well on their way -through the wilderness. When not paddling their -canoes, the ground across the carrying-places was -rough, rocky, and rugged, interspersed with bogs, into -which the invaders sank often to their knees. New -difficulties faced them daily, and their provisions -grew scant, until at length they resolved to eat their -pork raw and to make but two meals each day. -Never was expedition undertaken more recklessly. -Unacquainted with the distance they had to go, they -were without map or chart; half a biscuit, half a -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P241"></a>241}</span> -square inch of raw pork formed their usual meal; but -there were worse days to come, days when these -invaders of Canada were called to kill the two faithful -dogs which accompanied them, to make soup out of -their old deer-skin moccasins, to devour roots and -leaves greedily. But the thought of capturing -Quebec fired every heart during the memorable six -weeks' march. Thus it was that a camp at the -French Canadian settlement was reached. Hearing -of Arnold's arrival with his emaciated followers, -the Indians of the country-side began flocking -around, eager to know what had brought him hither. -"Summon," said Arnold, "your braves in council, -gather together your young men, and I will tell them -why we are come." -</p> - -<p> -Natanis, the principal chief, forthwith summoned -an Indian conclave, and, boldly casting truth to one -side, Benedict Arnold addressed it in these words: -"Brothers, we are children of this English people -who have now taken up the hatchet against us. -More than a hundred years ago we were all as one -family; we then differed in our religion and came -over to this great country by consent of the King. -Our fathers bought land of the red-men, and have -grown a great people, even as the stars in the sky. -We have planted the ground and by our labour -grown rich. Now a new King and his wicked great -man want to take our lands and money without our -consent. The King would not hear our prayer, but -sent a great army to Boston, and endeavoured to set -our children against us in Canada. The King's army -at Boston came out into the fields and houses, killed -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P242"></a>242}</span> -a great many women and children while they were -peaceably at work. The Bostonians sent to their -children in the country, and they came in unto their -relief, and in six days raised an army of 50,000 men and -drove the King's troops on board their ships, killing and -wounding 1500 of their men. Since that they durst -not come out of Boston. Now we hear the French -and Indians in Canada have sent to us that the King's -troops oppress them and make them pay a great price -for their rum and other things, pressing them to take -up arms against the Bostonians, their children, who -have done them no hurt. By the desire of the French -and Indians, our brethren, we have come to their -assistance with an intent to drive out the King's -soldiers. When driven off, we will return to our own -country and leave this to the peaceable enjoyment of -its proper inhabitants. Now, if the Indians, our -brethren, will join us, we will be very much obliged to -them, and will give them one Portuguese dollar per -month, two dollars bounty, and find them their -provisions and the liberty to choose their own -officers." -</p> - -<p> -Judge if, at this extraordinary speech, Natanis -and his redskins looked their astonishment! But -although they had never heard any of these terrible -and unjust deeds on the part of King George before, -their Indian cupidity and bloodthirstiness were -excited, and little more persuasion was needed to -induce some of them at least to tread the war-path. -Natanis and his brother Sabatis, with about fifty -warriors, joined the expedition on the spot. -</p> - -<p> -Some days later Arnold and his men beheld the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P243"></a>243}</span> -scene of their destined conquest spread out before -them. The last leaves of the trees in the beautiful -valley of the Chaudière had fluttered to the ground -and the sunlight danced upon the hill-tops and on -the waters of the St. Lawrence, lighting up in the -distance the city and the fortress they coveted. The -American general, George Washington, had beforehand -written a manifesto to the Canadians which had -been translated into French and printed before -Arnold's departure. This manifesto Arnold now -caused to be distributed, assuring them of American -friendship and asking the assistance of the Canadians. -</p> - -<p> -Luckily for the future of Canada under the British -flag, a strong, brave man sat in the seat of authority. -Sir Guy Carleton had been a friend of Wolfe, and had -served with him before Quebec. He was as brave as -Frontenac and as wise as the coming Haldimand. -Carleton needed all his bravery and wisdom; he had -only about 400 regulars and 600 French Canadian -volunteers. The fortunes of Canada were in his -hands! When Montgomery took possession of -Montreal, Carleton retired to Quebec, escaping capture -only by the most daring of stratagems. Before he -could reach the fortress, the commandant he had -left there had summoned all the loyal citizens -together and prepared for battle. He dealt Arnold -a blow by burning every boat on the river and -sentinelling the channel with vessels of war. If Arnold -could have crossed the St. Lawrence immediately on -his arrival, he would have stood a far better chance -of capturing Quebec, but his men had now to scour -the country for birch-bark canoes. One dark night -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P244"></a>244}</span> -he succeeded in eluding a British frigate and sloop -and landed 500 men at Wolfe's Cove. On the -following morning, at daybreak, Benedict Arnold led -his troops up the steep path and formed them in -ranks on the Plains of Abraham above. His idea -was to provoke a sally and attack the garrison as -Wolfe had done. He believed that outside the walls -were numerous sympathisers with the Americans -who would rally to his assistance during a fight. So -he marched his men up close to the battlements, as if -daring the besieged to come out and fight. But the -Commandant was not to be snared into the same -trap which had proved the undoing of Montcalm. -"If you want Quebec," he said, "you must come and -take it!" -</p> - -<p> -The news that Sir Guy Carleton was approaching -with reinforcements from up the river quickly -decided Benedict Arnold to retire from the Heights -of Abraham. He withdrew his troops to a point -some distance above Quebec, there to await the -arrival of Montgomery, who was approaching with -clothing and provisions. His failure to seduce the -French Canadians to break their oath of loyalty to -King George caused him the bitterest chagrin. If -a siege dragged on till spring-time, the British fleet -would surely relieve Quebec. Many of the American -troops were sick, and their artillery was insufficient. -Nothing remained to Montgomery and Arnold but -an attempt to seize Quebec by a daring piece of -strategy. -</p> - -<p> -It was the last day of December. Snow had been -falling heavily all day, and now, late at night, it was -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P245"></a>245}</span> -still falling. It had been planned that Montgomery -should attack the Lower town on the side of Cape -Diamond, and Arnold on the side of St. Roque. If -once the streets near the river could be gained, they -could scale the walls to the Upper town. To -distract Carleton's attention from these two assaulting -columns, two feigned attacks were made on other -parts of the city. In order that they might recognise -each other in the darkness, each of the American -invaders wore on his cap a band of white paper on -which was written "Liberty or Death." But Carleton -was not to be taken by surprise, and the Quebec -garrison was on the alert. Montgomery and Arnold -were to meet in the Lower town and force a rough -structure of pickets called Prescott gate. At the -head of his men, Montgomery found himself -intercepted by a party of British soldiers and seamen. -"Come on, my brave boys, and Quebec is ours," he -shouted. Flames of fire darted out from a log-house -battery which barred his approach to the Lower -town. Montgomery, his two aides, and ten others -were struck down and killed on the spot. -</p> - -<p> -On the other side of the Lower town Arnold was -running forward with his men. Suddenly in the -midst of the wild storm the bells of the city rang out -the alarm, the beating of drums was heard, and the -artillery began to belch forth shot and shell. Arnold -was one of the first to be struck down, and, wounded -in the leg, he retired to the rear. Those who did not -follow his example of retreat were compelled to -surrender. So ended this ambitious scheme for the -conquest of Quebec! When morning came the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P246"></a>246}</span> -bodies of Montgomery and others were carried into -the city and given proper burial. Both Richard -Montgomery, who had sought to tear down the -Union Jack from the citadel, and Guy Carleton, who -had defended the town and flag, had served under -Wolfe in the campaign which made Britain mistress -of Quebec. -</p> - -<p> -The Americans, largely reinforced, continued for -some time to hang about the city. British ships -sailed up the St. Lawrence at last, and the invaders -retired in haste. The coming of the warships was -the signal to fall upon the Americans, seize their -artillery, and turn them into a fleeing mob. The -troops so long awaited from England arrived at last. -Everywhere the invaders were routed. Benedict -Arnold at Montreal found it prudent to leave that -city, and it was at once entered and taken possession -of by the English. Moreover, the forts on the lakes -were retaken. The fleet which Arnold had gathered -on Lake Champlain was destroyed, and the gates of -Canada were again barred against the disloyal invader. -</p> - -<p> -For many months the fate of the thirteen revolting -colonies hung in the balance. Their troops were -dispirited, ill-fed, ill-paid, ill-clad. Many thousands -absolutely refused to serve or to obey their officers. -A single great battle won by the King's soldiers -might have sent them back to their homes willing to -accept the terms of peace which the mother-country -offered to the colonies. As it was, every third man -you would have met, had you travelled from Boston -to Savannah, was still a Loyalist or Tory openly or at -heart. At the beginning of the conflict two-thirds -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P247"></a>247}</span> -of the entire population of America, which was then -about 3,000,000, were Loyalists. But if you have -read the history of the French Revolution, you know -that peaceful majorities have little power when -opposed by loud-voiced, vehement, energetic men, -with a single object, and perpetually keeping that -object in view. Thus we see as the war dragged -on the numbers of Loyalists diminishing. Many had -not dared to avow their fealty to King and Empire; -many had not dared to express their opinion that -America had been in the wrong from the first. They -shrank from calling Samuel Adams a demagogue, and -Tom Paine a wicked atheist, because this would have -exposed them to the hatred of the lawless mob. For -now that the King's authority had been overthrown, -especially in the cities, the lives of peaceful, -law-abiding men were at the mercy of the multitude. It -was no time to be neutral. A man had to choose -between his King and the Philadelphia Congress, and, -moreover, he had to choose quickly. In many cases -his choice was influenced by immediate fear. His -house or shop might be broken into, his goods stolen, -his chattels burned, even he himself, if he escaped -stoning or the fanatic's bullet, might be tarred and -feathered. -</p> - -<p> -Under these circumstances, you see what a painful -predicament they were in who in those distant -colonies, proud of their imperial heritage as -Englishmen, grateful for what England had done for them, -convinced that the mother-country did not really -wish to oppress them, stood firm for their sovereign, -flag, and ancient Constitution. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P248"></a>248}</span> -</p> - -<p> -History now shows that the Loyalists were, with -a few striking exceptions, the best men in America. -Their numbers embraced the most notable judges, -the most eminent lawyers, most cultured clergy, -most distinguished physicians, most educated and -refined of the people, both north and south. Early -in the war, nay, even long before the war broke out, -the Boston mobs had set upon them for their loyalty. -Any official or merchant suspected of sympathising -with the British Army or British Government of the -day became at once a target for their insults and -persecution. They began by setting Governor -Hutchinson's mansion in flames; sheriffs and judges -were mobbed; feeble old men were driven into the -woods, and innocent women insulted. As the war -progressed the violence of the revolutionists grew in -intensity. Thousands sought safety with the King's -troops, thousands armed themselves and fought -valiantly for the King. Any man accused of being -a Loyalist was liable to have his estate confiscated -and to be punished even with death. Now we can -afford to look back on these things and to bear -no ill-will to the good and wise Americans who -built up the United States. It happened long -ago; we have long forgiven. But Canadians can -never forget. -</p> - -<p> -What the Loyalists had suffered during the war, -when the issue of the contest still wavered, was far, -far less than that which they had to endure when -the Revolutionists at last triumphed. -</p> - -<p> -The British Empire had been badly served by the -officers England had sent out to America. If she -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P249"></a>249}</span> -had had a soldier of the stamp of Washington to -direct her armies, there would have been a different -conclusion; but all was mismanaged, and her Generals, -Gage, Burgoyne, and Cornwallis, planned feebly and -fought half-heartedly. If there was any doubt as to -the result, that doubt was speedily set at rest when -England's hereditary enemy, France, espoused the -cause of the American insurgents. French money, -ships, and men poured into America. The Americans -fought with French muskets, they were clad in -French clothing, and they were paid with gold which -the impoverished people of France could ill spare. -Great is the debt America owes to the French King -and statesmen of that time. -</p> - -<p> -Then came the day when Cornwallis found -himself shut up at Yorktown by the French and -American armies under Rochambeau and Washington, -four times greater than his own forces. -The French fleet turned its guns upon him from the -sea; retreat was cut off, and Cornwallis surrendered. -To the hopes of the Loyalists this was the last -blow, and indeed to the hopes of British King and -Parliament. -</p> - -<p> -The war was all but over, but not yet over was the -terrible ordeal which the men who had stood staunch -and faithful to the United Empire were destined to -undergo. They were termed "traitors"; they were -pursued through the streets; their families were -driven into the woods; they were shot down -remorselessly. Rows of them were hung up like -felons. At the battle of King's Mountains in North -Carolina ten of the prisoners, men of character and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P250"></a>250}</span> -influence, were hanged in cold blood. There were -many other instances when prisoners were ferociously -executed. -</p> - -<p> -New York remained in British hands a year or -two longer. There came one morning tidings that a -Loyalist named Philip White had been hanged. The -Loyalists, led by William, the able, stout-hearted son -of Benjamin Franklin, now resolved to retaliate. -For every Loyalist, they proclaimed, who was -murdered they would hang a Congress officer -falling into their hands. Accordingly one Joshua -Huddy, who had been taken prisoner by them, was -hanged. On his corpse was fastened this notice: -"We determine to hang man for man, while there -is a refugee living." Verily, an eye for an eye, and -a tooth for a tooth! Naturally Washington and the -Congress were very angry at this, and by way of -further retaliation condemned a young officer, nineteen -years of age, Captain Asgill, to die on the gibbet. -Lady Asgill, the mother of the young officer, failing -to obtain mercy from Congress, applied to the French, -and De Vergennes requested that young Asgill should -be set at liberty, saying: "Captain Asgill is doubtless -your prisoner, but he is among those whom the -armies of the King, my master, contributed to place -in your hands at Yorktown." Such a request -Congress did not dare refuse, and the destined -victim was set at liberty. -</p> - -<p> -Canada proper during the war had not again been -molested. But far to the north let us turn our eyes -for a moment to witness a scene occurring there. -</p> - -<p> -All this time the vast country bordering upon -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P251"></a>251}</span> -Hudson's Bay remained in undisputed possession of -the English Hudson's Bay Company. Their forts -and factories, though capable of offering a strong -defence, were built of logs, with bastions of stone. -Only one really noble fort lifted its crest in the -sub-Arctic region. Fifty years before the remembrance -of their former posts destroyed by fire and the -cannon of the redoubtable Iberville induced the -Company to fortify its best harbour on a splendid -scale, and erect in the northern wilderness, in the -hushed solitudes of the moose, the bear, and the wolf, -a mighty fortress which would evoke the admiration -of Europe. A massive 30-feet-wide foundation was -begun from the plans of the military engineers who -had served under the Duke of Marlborough, and, -after some years, in 1734, Fort Prince of Wales, a -rival to the French stronghold of Louisburg, 2000 -miles away, was reared at the mouth of Churchill -River. The walls were 42 feet thick at their foundation; -three of the bastions had arches for store-houses, -and in the fourth was built a magazine 34 feet long -and 10 wide. For fifty years Fort Prince of Wales -stood undisturbed, none daring to offer it insult or -attack. The remote Chippewas and far-off tribes -from Athabasca and the Great Slave Lake travelling -to Hudson's Bay gazed with wonder at its masonry -and formidable artillery. The great cannon whose -muzzles stared grimly from the battlements had been -woven into Indian legends. -</p> - -<p> -So strong did the Company deem it, that no -thought of any conquest seems to have entered their -minds. The garrison was allowed to wane in -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P252"></a>252}</span> -numbers, until on an August evening 1782 only -thirty-nine defenders within its walls witnessed the -arrival of three strange ships in the Bay. Word ran -from mouth to mouth that they were French men-of-war. -All was consternation and anxiety at first, -quickly succeeded by dread. Two score pair of -English eyes watched the strangers, as pinnace, gig, -and long-boat were lowered, and a number of swarthy -sailors began busily to sound the approaches to the -harbour. Anxious indeed was the night passed in -the fort by Governor Samuel Hearne and his men. -Daybreak came and showed the strangers already -disembarking in their boats, and as the morning -sun waxed stronger, an array of 400 troops was seen -drawn up on the shore of Churchill Bay, at a place -called Hare Point. Orders were given to march, and -with the flag of France once more unfurled on these -distant northern shores, the French attacking party -approached Fort Prince of Wales, the Company's -stronghold. -</p> - -<p> -Four hundred yards from the walls they halted; -two officers were sent on in advance to summon the -Governor to surrender. The French ships turned -out to be the <i>Sceptre</i>, seventy-four guns, the <i>Astarte</i>, -and the <i>Engageante</i>, of thirty-six guns each; they -had, besides, four field-guns, two mortars, and 300 -bomb-shells. -</p> - -<p> -It appears that Admiral la Pérouse, who commanded -this hostile fleet, had counted on arriving -just in time to secure a handsome prize in the shape -of the Company's ships, for which he had lain in -wait in the Bay. But these luckily eluded him. At -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P253"></a>253}</span> -the spectacle of the French attacking force, the -Governor of Prince of Wales Fort, Samuel Hearne, -seems to have become panic-stricken. Believing -resistance useless, he snatched up a table-cloth which, -to the surprise of the French, was soon seen waving -from the parapet of the fort. Without a shot being -fired on either side, Fort Prince of Wales had -yielded to the foe. -</p> - -<p> -The delighted French admiral lost no time in -transporting what guns he could find in the fort to -his ships, as well as in replenishing his depleted -commissariat from its well-filled provision stores. -</p> - -<p> -Afterwards came much noisy rioting on the part -of the French soldiers and the utter looting of the -fort. An attempt was made, occupying two days, -to demolish it; but although French gunpowder as -well as English was freely used, yet the walls were -of such solid masonry as to resist their best efforts. -The artillerymen of the enemy could only displace -the upper rows of the massive granite stones, -dismount its guns, and blow up the gateway, together -with the stone outwork protecting it. -</p> - -<p> -Then La Pérouse sailed away for York Factory, -which at this time was garrisoned by sixty English -and twelve Indians. Its defence consisted of thirteen -cannon, twelve and nine pounders, which formed a -half-moon battery in front; and it being thought -probable that the enemy would arrive in the night -and turn these guns against the fort, they were -overturned into the ditch. On the ramparts were twelve -swivel guns mounted on carriages, and within was -abundance of small arms and ammunition. A rivulet -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P254"></a>254}</span> -of fresh water ran within the stockades to quench the -thirst of the besieged; and there were also thirty -head of cattle and as many hogs, to keep them from -hunger. -</p> - -<p> -Two Indian scouts, sent out to obtain intelligence, -returned in about three hours with the information -that the enemy were less than a league distant. -Several guns had been heard firing in the neighbourhood; -and at sunset of that day all could plainly -discern a large bonfire, presumably kindled by the -French, about a mile and a half to the west. A -night of anxiety was passed, and by ten o'clock the -next morning the enemy appeared before the gates. -"During their approach," says one of those in the -fort at the time, "a most inviting opportunity offered -itself to be revenged on our invaders by discharging -the guns on the ramparts, which must have done -great execution." -</p> - -<p> -But here also the Governor was not the man for -such an emergency. He knew nothing of war, and -had a wholesome dread of all armed and equipped -soldiery. Trembling so that he could scarcely stand, -he begged the surgeon, "for God's sake to give him -a glass of liquor to steady his nerves." There being -none at hand, he swallowed a tumbler of raw spirits -of wine, and this so far infused courage and determination -into his blood, that he peremptorily declared he -would shoot the first man who offered to fire a gun. -Dismay filled the bosoms of many of the fur -Company's servants. The second in command and -the surgeon endeavoured to expostulate, and to -silence them the Governor caught up a white sheet -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P255"></a>255}</span> -with his own hand and waved it from a window of -the fort. This was answered by the French officer -displaying his pocket-handkerchief. -</p> - -<p> -Under the sanction of this flag of truce a parley -took place. The Governor was ordered to surrender -within two hours. But no such time was needed; the -fort was most ingloriously yielded in ten minutes. In -vain did some of the English council plead that the -fort might have withstood the united efforts of -double the number of those by whom it was assailed. -Vainly they showed that, from the nature of the -enemy's attack by way of Nelson River, they could -not use their mortars or artillery, the ground being -very bad and full of woods, thickets, and bogs. The -miserable Governor was resolved to yield the place, -and he carried out his intention, much to the -astonishment and satisfaction of the French. -</p> - -<p> -The fur-trading company never rebuilt Fort -Prince of Wales. The distant traveller may behold -its ruins to-day standing to mark the most northern -stronghold on the North American continent, a -reminder of bygone strife, useful now only as a -beacon and a resting-place for flocks of Arctic -birds. -</p> - -<p> -Peace was declared between Britain and America -in 1783, but there was no peace for the American -Loyalists. When the King's armies sailed away -from Charleston, the last spectacle they saw was the -bodies of twenty-four Loyalists swinging from a row -of gibbets. Of no crime were these men guilty but -that of refusing to disunite the glorious Empire, of -refusing to fight against him whom they regarded as -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P256"></a>256}</span> -their lawful sovereign, and an honest and benevolent -prince. -</p> - -<p> -By the Treaty of Versailles they had been -abandoned by the mother-country, left to the tender -mercies of the American conquerors. No wonder -there were men in both Houses of Parliament who -were shocked at this treatment. -</p> - -<p> -"When I consider the case of the colonists," -cried Wilberforce, "I confess I there feel myself -conquered; I there see my country humiliated; I -there see her at the feet of America!" "A peace -founded on the sacrifice of these unhappy subjects," -declared one noble lord, "must be accursed in the -sight of God and man." -</p> - -<p> -Months before the peace was actually signed -Canada itself, which was to be the Canaan of the -Loyalists, was almost lost to the Empire. A French -fleet of thirty-five ships were assembled at Martinique -in the West Indies and about to sail northward for -the reconquest of New France. America would not -have dared to gainsay the wishes of her French allies -to possess Canada, yet there was nothing that the -Americans dreaded more. They knew that the time -would come, were France once again entrenched in -Canada, when they would be obliged to fight her -future Frontenacs and Montcalms for the possession -of Quebec and the security of their northern frontier. -</p> - -<p> -But the fears of the Americans were never -realised. The gallant sea-dog Rodney fell upon De -Grasse in West Indian waters, inflicting upon him a -crushing defeat, and so Canada was providentially -preserved to the British flag. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P257"></a>257}</span> -</p> - -<p> -It was now time for the Loyalists to journey -forth from the new republic they despised and -distrusted. Somewhere—for most of them knew it -but vaguely—in the northern wilds, in the virgin -forests of pine and maple and hemlock, in the -solitudes of lakes and rivers, which no man of English -blood had ever seen, was the refuge the Loyalists -sought. No longer could they hope that their -confiscated property would be restored or even that the -little they had left would be secured to them. -</p> - -<p> -In the month of November 1783 New York was -evacuated by the King's troops under Sir Guy -Carleton. With him went all the stores belonging to -the Crown, all the baggage and artillery and 40,000 -souls. New York was the stronghold of the -Loyalists; Pennsylvania had been equally divided -between Loyalists and Revolutionists; there were -more Loyalists in Virginia than adherents of -Congress; and Georgia had at least three Loyalists -for every rebel. Thousands had perished; thousands -had sought refuge in England; thousands had -recanted. Fifty thousand now set out with their -wives and children and such belongings as were -left to them to traverse the hundreds of miles -which lay between them and their new homesteads -in Canada. These United Empire Loyalists were -the fathers of English Canada. Comfort came to -them in a proclamation that England would not -think of deserting them. -</p> - -<p> -Seated on the throne at Westminster, King -George had addressed to Parliament these words: -"I trust you will agree with me that a due and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P258"></a>258}</span> -generous attention ought to be shown to those who -have relinquished their property or their possessions -from motives of loyalty to me, or attachment to the -mother-country." -</p> - -<p> -Delay, alas, occurred; commissioners had to be -appointed to consider Loyalists' claims, yet in the end -England was not ungrateful; land and money were -bestowed upon them freely. Albeit there was a long -period of suffering and privation, of cold and hunger -and hardship. There are few tales which history has -to tell so stirring and noble as the exodus of the -Loyalists. Most of them had been brought up in -comfort, and even luxury; their women were tenderly -nurtured and unaccustomed to hardship. But one -spirit animated them all, one hope fired all their -bosoms, one faith drove them out of the American -republic into the wilderness. -</p> - -<p> -The exodus was divided into two main streams, -one moving eastward to Nova Scotia and the country -where a century and a half before Poutraincourt and -De la Tour had fought and flourished. The other -moved westward to the region north of Lake Ontario, -which had witnessed the labours of Frontenac and -Lasalle and the sufferings of Brébeuf and his brother -Jesuits. These came in by Lake Champlain and -ascended the St. Lawrence in open boats, bivouacking -at night, resuming their journey by day. They -crossed from Oswego on Lake Ontario to Kingston -and York, and began at once felling trees and erecting -rude cabins. Many had travelled by waggons from -North Carolina and Georgia, exposed to insult and -danger all the way. Those who followed the eastern -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P259"></a>259}</span> -course landed at the mouth of the St. John River, -New Brunswick, on the 18th May 1783, a day still -celebrated in the city of St. John's. They took up -settlements in the meadows of the Bay of Fundy and -at Port Rasoir in Nova Scotia. There, like the city -in the Arabian tale, there sprang up, as if by magic, -the town of Shelburne, with 12,000 inhabitants, where -yesterday had been but solitude. -</p> - -<p> -All eastern Canada, all the country indeed which -lay between Detroit and the ocean, became dotted -with the settlements of the Loyalists. By them -Canada had been little known. They found, to their -surprise and their infinite gratitude to God, that -instead of the bleak, inhospitable wilderness, they -had come into a smiling, sun-kissed, fertile land. -Only patience and industry were needed to fell -the timber, plough the soil, and reap a harvest. -Many difficulties and much self-denial there were -to undergo, but the United Empire Loyalists felt -amply repaid when they gazed round in years to -come at their snug and tidy homesteads, at the -little church set by the foot of the green-clad hill, -and saw the flag of their ancestors, rudely wrought -by loving hands maybe, but oh, how cherished! floating -in the crisp, pure air. -</p> - -<p> -One year was called the Year of Famine in the -Lake region, for in that year the crops had failed, -and many families had to live on roots and beech-nuts. -A sack of flour then, it was said, would have -purchased an entire farm. In that year some of the -old and feeble perished, but none of the living lost -courage, none would have exchanged their new lot -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P260"></a>260}</span> -with its prospects for even luxury under the flag -of the Republic across the border. -</p> - -<p> -No one will know, because none has told, all -that these brave pioneers underwent for their devotion -and fidelity. You will see to-day on the outskirts -of the older settlements little mounds, moss-covered -tombstones which record the last resting-places of -the forefathers of the hamlet. They do not tell you -of the brave hearts laid low by hunger and exposure, -of the girlish forms wasted away, of the babes and -little children who perished for want of proper -food and raiment. They have nothing to tell of -the courageous, high-minded mothers, wives, and -daughters who bore themselves as bravely as men, -complaining never, toiling with the men in the fields, -banishing all regrets for the life they might have -led had they sacrificed their loyalty. -</p> - -<p> -No distinction that the Congress could give them -equalled to their minds the distinction which their -King accorded them of affixing to their names the -letters U.E.L. To-day the Canadians who can trace -their descent from the U.E.L. dwell upon it as -proudly as if there flowed in their veins the blood of -the Howards, Vernons, and Montmorencys. No great -monument has been raised to their memory; none is -needed; it is enshrined for ever in the hearts of every -true Canadian, and of every one who admires fidelity -to principle, devotion, and self-sacrifice. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap17"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P261"></a>261}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XVII -<br /><br /> -HOW CANADA'S ENEMY WAS FOILED -</h3> - -<p> -Slowly under the labour of the Loyalists and their -children did the forests of Canada give way to -civilisation. Smiling fields, trim homesteads, and -flourishing gardens replaced the rude and solitary -wigwams of the red-men of Ontario, Quebec, and the -maritime provinces to the east. English, Scotch, and -Irish emigrants found their way in shiploads to -Prince Edward Island, which you may remember as -the Isle St. Jean of the French. Lord Selkirk, the -founder of the Red River Settlement, of which we -shall soon hear, brought whole colonies of thrifty -Scotch families; the name of the island was changed -and that of the father of the future Queen Victoria -bestowed upon it. For Prince Edward, Duke of -Kent, was now commander of the British forces in -Quebec. -</p> - -<p> -In the midst of the increasing prosperity of the -New Empire which was growing up for Britain in -the west, an empire compounded of both French and -English, a war-cloud began to loom upon the -Southern horizon. The American Republic, after -thirty-five years of independence, quarrelled once -more with the mother-country. Once again -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P262"></a>262}</span> -England was, in 1812, as she had been in the days -of the American Revolution, engaged in a terrible -struggle with France. The ambition of Napoleon -Bonaparte had rendered him an appalling danger to -the whole of Europe. It was to quell Napoleon that -Britain put forth all her strength. On land she met -with alternate victories and defeats, but there was -none to gainsay her on the sea. The embargo on -British goods pronounced by Napoleon in the -Continental blockade was America's great opportunity. -A great ship industry, a splendid carrying trade -sprang up between America and France. England -insisted on a right of searching any vessels suspected -of bringing "aid and comfort" to the enemy or of -harbouring English deserters. Dozens of times was -it shown that the cargoes the American vessels -carried were not American products, but had been -bought at a French colony and were on their way -to France. Even many of the vessels flying the -American flag were foreigners or English blockade-runners. -This act of self-preservation was all the -excuse the Americans wanted to declare war and -pounce once more upon Canada, in the sure hope -this time of success attending their plans. They -declared that their object in taking up arms was -to uphold the honour of the Stars and Stripes. -"The flag," they said, "covers the cargo; you have no -right to search for seamen who have deserted or for -contraband goods. If you persist, we will fight you." -</p> - -<p> -Wherefore, in June 1812, Congress declared war. -It was not so stated in the declaration, but its real -object was to snatch Canada from Britain, and, with -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P263"></a>263}</span> -the help of Napoleon, extinguish King George's -maritime and colonial Empire. True, there were -many opponents of this war in America. The people -of New England in particular denounced it as wicked -and senseless, and in Boston the flags were hung at -half-mast. Yet the temptation was too strong for -the masses led by Thomas Jefferson. "France," he -said, "should be the mistress of Europe, America -should be mistress of the New World!" -</p> - -<p> -It seemed natural to expect that 400,000 people -could not stand out against 8,000,000. The Stars -and Stripes must be planted forthwith at Quebec, -York (Toronto), Montreal, and Kingston. "On to -Canada" was the cry of the war-party. So while -Napoleon, at the head of a vast army, was marching -on to Moscow, and Wellington in Spain was holding -Napoleon's marshals at bay, the American army set -out once more to conquer Canada. -</p> - -<p> -Innocent of having given any cause of offence to -their neighbours, the Canadian people, farmers, -lawyers, doctors, school-teachers, shouldered their -arms to a man and steadfastly waited the foe. -Enough it was for them to know that the enemy had -declared war against Britain, and that their portion of -the Empire was threatened with invasion. A long -frontier it was to guard, 1700 miles, and there were -only 5000 regular troops. But Canada had a host -unto herself in the gallant, dauntless person of -General Isaac Brock, commander in Upper Canada. -Brock had scarce need to call for volunteer battalions -before they were already formed. More men flocked -to his banners than there were arms with which to -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P264"></a>264}</span> -equip them. The Indians, too, well content with -British policy and fair play, came tribe after tribe -and offered their services. Chief amongst them -stands the noble figure of Tecumseh, leader of -the Shawanoes. His tribe had already fought the -Americans, and been defeated by them at the battle -of Tippecanoe. After the battle the red-men, like -the Loyalists, had refused to live under the flag of -the Republic and had migrated northward to Canada. -Three distinct American armies began the attack. -The leader of one of these, General Hull, crossed the -Detroit River and, landing in Canada, issued a -proclamation offering peace, liberty, and security to all -who would accept American rule. To those who -refused, all the horrors of war would descend upon their -heads. Instantly another proclamation was issued -by General Brock. "Britain," it ran, "will defend her -subjects!" Canada, well knowing her duty to -herself and her sovereign, was not to be bribed nor -bullied. A little band of Canadian soldiers and -voyageurs appeared before the American fort of -Michilimackinac, which commanded Lake Michigan, -and compelled it to surrender. Another small body -of 350 Canadians, accompanied by Tecumseh and his -zealous Shawanoes, cut off Hull's supplies and checked -his progress. This prompt action greatly astonished -the bombastic American general. He set out at -once upon a retreat to Detroit, and there was quickly -followed by Brock. The Canadian leader commanded -but little more than half the number of men his -adversary could boast, but nevertheless Brock was -bent on storming the enemy's fort. He was on the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P265"></a>265}</span> -point of giving the signal for assault when, to his -amazement, a white flag was raised aloft and Hull -offered to capitulate. The result was that 2500 -troops and 33 cannon and the whole territory -of Michigan was surrendered to Canada. No -wonder that Brock became a hero, and that the -heart of every Canadian who heard the tidings was -fired with patriotic enthusiasm. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile how fared it with the other American -armies? General van Rensselaer brought his -clamorous, eager followers to Niagara, where the -mighty torrent of waters scarce could drown their -huzzas of expected victory when they sighted from -afar Canadian soil. The woods flamed with crimson -and yellow, vineyards were thick with their purple -harvests when Van Rensselaer led his army to the -attack on Queenston heights. The Canadian shore -of the Niagara River rose sheer and splendid from the -foaming rapids below. At a spot where the river's -course is somewhat checked the embarkation took -place. The sound of oars caught the ear of a sentinel, -and a Canadian battery opened fire. Too late! The -Americans also had their batteries planted, and they -were far more numerous. Thirteen hundred -Americans, led by Captain Wool, moved slowly up -the slope and gained the summit. -</p> - -<p> -The sound of the firing reached Fort George, -where General Brock then was. No time was to be -lost; he flew to the fray. The Americans must be -dislodged at the point of the bayonet. "Scale the -heights!" rang out as the battle-cry. Waving his -sword at the head of the charging lines, Brock's voice -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P266"></a>266}</span> -could be heard shouting, "Push on, ye brave York -volunteers!" The words had scarce left his lips ere -the brave Brock sank down shot through the breast. -</p> - -<p> -Under the hot fire from the summit on Queenston -heights the ranks of his followers were fast mowed -down—so fast, that at length the Canadians were -fain to halt awhile to gather breath. They had not -suffered without inflicting suffering on the foe. The -American general was disabled, many of his troops -killed, and his position on the crest far from secure. -Although he still had several hundred more men -than the Canadians could bring against him, and 4000 -more American soldiers were at hand on the other -side of the river, the fate of the invaders was sealed. -Brock's successor, Roger Sheaffe, stormed them -on three sides, while on the fourth side was a -precipice, 200 feet deep, its base washed by the angry -river. They fought madly, but nothing could stop -the fury of the Canadian charge. Back, back they -fell until the very edge of the precipice was reached. -There was nothing now but death or surrender, and -1100 Americans laid down their arms and became -prisoners of war. -</p> - -<p> -When the first year's campaign came to an end -Canadian soil had been freed from the invader. -</p> - -<p> -Next year, however, the enemy attacked with even -greater vigour. They had met with several successes -against the English at sea, for England could not -always spare her best ships for the American conflict, -and America thus felt the late defeats of her generals -more than atoned for. York, afterwards Toronto, -was captured, its public buildings burned, the church -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P267"></a>267}</span> -pillaged, and the public library sacked. A number of -private houses were also looted and destroyed. But -all this was not to go unavenged. Before the war -was over a British general in the very capital city of -the enemy had exacted terrible retribution. The -capitol at Washington was burned and several other -public buildings destroyed by way of retaliation. -</p> - -<p> -With this campaign is associated in Canadian -annals the story of a brave woman, Laura Secord. -It shows the qualities which the womanhood of -Canada possessed at a time of storm and stress, when -their country was invaded by the foe. The American -general-in-chief despatched one of his officers, Colonel -Boerstler, to capture by surprise two of the Canadian -outposts. Two valiant Canadians held these posts, -Fitzgibbon at De Ceu's farm and De Harren at -Twelve Mile Creek. On a clear June night the -Americans set out from Fort George. In advance -of their main body a strong picket roamed the -country to capture all the male inhabitants they met, -so that no tidings of the American approach could -reach the threatened garrison. But although they -captured many, there were some they were constrained -to spare. Of these was a wounded militiaman, -named James Secord. He had lately been fighting -for his country and flag at Queenston heights when -an American bullet had brought him low. Deeming -him helpless, the pickets of the enemy spoke freely. -Secord overheard them speaking of the projected -attack on De Ceu's farm, where Fitzgibbon's thirty -picked men slept ignorant of danger. A pang shot -through the hapless Secord's breast. How to warn -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P268"></a>268}</span> -Fitzgibbon? How to apprise him of the certain -doom which awaited him? He spoke of the matter -to his true-hearted wife, Laura. She too came of -sterling Loyalist stock. The parents of both had -suffered much at the hands of the American -revolutionists. They had lost all they possessed and had -fled to Canada for refuge from persecution. She saw -instantly the danger, and said quietly to her husband, -"Fitzgibbon must be warned, and I will warn -him." Secord stared at his wife in amazement. Did she -realise the magnitude of such a task? The roads -were swollen with rain and almost impassable by -reason of the mud. The woods were deep in -swamp. American and Indian marauders abounded. -Twenty miles of wilderness had to be traversed, -not by a strong, lusty man in the pride of youth, -but by a frail woman, nearly forty years of age, and -the mother of five children. Yet Laura Secord did -not shrink. Seeing her resolution, her husband bade -her God-speed, and she set off dauntlessly at daybreak. -After struggling along through unfrequented paths -for nineteen miles, subject to constant alarms, she -came to a branch of a river. For want of a bridge to -cross it, she reached the opposite bank by the aid of a -fallen tree-trunk. At nightfall she suddenly found -herself in an Indian camp. The moonlight shone on -her figure, and the Indians, seeing her, burst into -fearful war-yells. Laura Secord was almost slain -before she could give an account of herself to the -chief. The Indians were friendly and conducted her -to Fitzgibbon; to him she quickly imparted her -tidings. The Indians suggested that the Canadians -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P269"></a>269}</span> -should wait in ambush for the American column. -Fitzgibbon was a brave, intelligent officer and made -his plans swiftly. Sending word to his fellow-officer, -De Harren, he distributed his dusky allies through -the woods and waited. -</p> - -<p><a id="img-268"></a></p> -<p class="capcenter"> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-268.jpg" alt="Laura Secord intercepted by the Mohawk scouts" /> -<br /> -Laura Secord intercepted by the Mohawk scouts -</p> - -<p> -At daybreak Boerstler's advance-guard was received -with a murderous, unseen fire, accompanied -by terrific yells. Then came the column of the enemy, -which was similarly greeted. Boerstler's men began -to drop in their tracks. Judging by the noise and -vigour of the invisible enemy, Boerstler fancied he was -being attacked by an overpowering force. He sent -back for reinforcements to Fort George, and ordered -his men to press on with what speed and courage -they could. At this juncture Fitzgibbon, with -admirable presence of mind, took advantage of the -situation. Emerging suddenly from the thicket with -his little handful of men, he greeted Boerstler with a -flag of truce. It was a white handkerchief which he -had tied hastily to his sword. At the sight of the -redcoats and their commander the fire stopped, -"I wish to avoid bloodshed," said Fitzgibbon to -the enemy. "In the name of the King, I call -upon you to surrender!" -</p> - -<p> -By this time Boerstler was greatly alarmed, but -he summoned up enough courage to mutter that he -was not accustomed to surrender to a force which he -had not seen. But Fitzgibbon was obdurate. He -knew that Major de Harren with 200 men would -soon join him, and he again pressed for instant -surrender. At the time he made this lofty demand he -had scarce forty men at his back! "I will give you -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P270"></a>270}</span> -five minutes," he said to Boerstler; "I have no longer -power to control my Indians." Boerstler believed he -had fallen into a trap. He had received two wounds -in the skirmish. His mind was greatly agitated, and -he put his hand to the articles of surrender. While -he was penning his name De Harren arrived with his -200 bayonets. -</p> - -<p> -By this surrender 25 officers, 519 non-commissioned -officers and men, 2 field-guns, 2 ammunition -cars, and a large number of horses were captured by -the British. -</p> - -<p> -As for Laura Secord, she soon recovered the -fatigues of her thrilling adventure, and lived to be an -old lady of ninety-three, greatly honoured by Canadians -for her heroism and fidelity to her country's cause. -</p> - -<p> -But the glory and honour of the campaign was -offset by a disgraceful British reverse. -</p> - -<p> -At Detroit the general, Proctor, was cut off from -his supplies, and, recognising his position, resolved to -evacuate and fall back on Burlington Heights. In -order that the fort at Detroit might be of little use -to the enemy, he dismantled it as much as he could, -carried the guns away with him, and beat a retreat -up the valley. With his garrison of 900 Canadians -went the valiant Tecumseh and 500 Indian braves. -In the footsteps of this retreating force followed -3000 of the enemy. At Moravian Town, on the banks -of the river Thames, Proctor halted. It was a capital -spot for a defence. On his right was a thick cedar -swamp which was quickly occupied by Tecumseh -and his 500 warriors. Between the swamp and -river only about 300 yards intervened. But -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P271"></a>271}</span> -Proctor had made a terrible blunder. He had not -dreamed the enemy were so nearly upon him. His -scouts and skirmishers told him nothing. He felled -no trees, he threw up no ramparts. In this fancied -security, never thinking they would dare to attack -him until he had time to make preparations, the hardy -riflemen of Kentucky were swiftly upon him. They -were led by the American general, Harrison, who -afterwards became President of the United States. -When they appeared Proctor and his men trembled. -There was a momentary indecision. Perhaps the -troops felt that if they had had a brave, wise -commander to lead them they might still give battle to -the enemy. A moment later their indecision yielded, -their ranks broke, and the Canadians fled. Not so, -however, Tecumseh and his red-men. Deserted -by their white allies, they still held the Cedar Swamp -for the British flag. But they were six times -outnumbered; fight as they might, their defeat was a -foregone conclusion. Amongst those who fell was -the stalwart hero, Tecumseh, whose loss was mourned -not more by the Indians than by the white men of -Canada. Not even his heroism could save his dead -body from the disgrace of mutilation by the foe. -But in so doing the disgrace of the latter was greater -than that they inflicted. In all his battles, as in all -his life, Tecumseh had ever been humane, just, and -moderate. As for the incompetent general, Proctor, -he was court-martialled for his conduct and dismissed -by the King from his service. -</p> - -<p> -In the autumn of this year (1813) Lower Canada -was threatened by a force of 7000 Americans, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P272"></a>272}</span> -commanded by General Hampton. This army -advanced from Lake Champlain to the Chateauguay -River, designing to reach the head of Montreal Island. -At this spot they expected to be joined by 8000 -men under General Wilkinson, coming down the -St. Lawrence in boats from Lake Ontario. To -oppose the troops led by Hampton and prevent them -from joining their comrades near Montreal, was a -little force of 1600 men, commanded by one of the -old French Canadian noblesse, Colonel de Salaberry, -who had already fought for Britain in foreign climes. -He was an experienced soldier; he knew that courage -and endurance in the cause of patriotism more than -atoned for want of numbers. He determined to -throw himself in Hampton's path in the forest, and -so prevent his reaching Chateauguay. Accordingly -he threw up his trenches and waited for the oncoming -of the Americans. -</p> - -<p> -In due time they came; the battle began, and the -first ranks of the foe were mowed down like grass. -De Salaberry had taken the precaution to scatter a -dozen buglers through the woods, who sounded the -advance at intervals through the fray. The invaders, -hearing the repeated trumpet blasts, thought a vast -Canadian army opposed them. Nevertheless they -pressed forward, the defenders purposely giving way -a little. The hidden buglers blew harder than ever, -panic seized the enemy at last, and they fled back -into the bushes, dropping their knapsacks, drums, and -muskets as they ran. Their comrades behind took -them for victorious Canadians advancing to a charge, -and fired upon them. Discovering their mistake too -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P273"></a>273}</span> -late, they in turn fled, and soon the victory of 380 -Canadians over ten times that number of the enemy -was complete. Miraculous to relate, the Canadian -loss was only two killed and sixteen wounded; that -of the Americans will never be known. But on the -day following the battle nearly 100 graves were -dug on their bank of the river. -</p> - -<p> -Chateauguay was a blow to American pride which -required many battles and more than one victory on -the sea and the Great Lakes to atone for. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile what of Wilkinson and his army -which was to join Hampton at Montreal? Of the -defeat and retreat of Hampton they knew nothing. -They supposed him to be advancing triumphantly -from the south to join them. Wilkinson and his -Americans could not understand why the Canadians -took such trouble to oppose him. For did he not -tell them he was come to release them from their -fetters? that they would no longer be slaves under -the monarchy of King George, but henceforward as -free as the air under a splendid republic? He could -not understand it. He complained bitterly of the -"active, universal hostility" of the male inhabitants of -the country; he had come, he said plainly, to "subdue -the forces of His Britannic Majesty, not to war -against his unoffending subjects." -</p> - -<p> -The answer to this kind of talk was supplied -by the Canadians at the battle of Chrysler's Farm. -It happened in this wise. While the American -general descended the St. Lawrence by water, some -3000 of his troops marched abreast by land on -the way to Montreal. In their rear a force of 800 -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P274"></a>274}</span> -Canadians from Kingston followed them day and -night, attacking whenever they had the chance. At -last the invaders received their General's command -to set upon these Canadian skirmishers and "brush -away the annoyance." -</p> - -<p> -On a November afternoon a little force under -Colonel Morrison drew up at a spot called Chrysler's -Farm to receive the foe, three or four times -outnumbering them. They fought fiercely, and when -the struggle was over the Americans had received -signal defeat; their general had fallen mortally -wounded, they had lost several hundred men, and the -British took more than a hundred prisoners. Thus, -completely routed, Wilkinson's sole hope lay in -joining Hampton at Lachine. But, alas, the news of -the defeat at Chateauguay caused him to change his -plans; the attack on Montreal was given up, and the -army of the invaders retired for the winter. -</p> - -<p> -One of the most hotly-fought contests of this war -occurred in the following year at Lundy's Lane. Here -3000 British faced 4600 Americans, and this again was -a British victory of which Canada has reason to be -proud. In the following year the war was over, and -an American statesman, Quincey, could say in -Congress: "Since the invasion of the Buccaneers, -there is nothing in history more disgraceful than this -war." -</p> - -<p> -As far as Canada was concerned the enemy had -gained nothing. They had been repeatedly defeated -by people fighting against many odds, whose territory -they had wantonly invaded. To retaliate for their -destruction of York, the capital of Upper Canada, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P275"></a>275}</span> -the American capitol and other public buildings at -Washington had been burned, 3000 of their ships had -been captured by Britain, and two-thirds of their -merchants were bankrupt at the close of the war. -But Canada, baptized by fire, came out of the ordeal -with a new spirit, a new self-reliance and pride in her -achievements and destiny. -</p> - -<p> -While the forces of America and Canada were -eyeing each other angrily across the border, in the -far west a new colony which would some day -form a great and vigorous portion of the Dominion -was born. You may remember that all these lands -between the Red River in the north and Hudson's -Bay were claimed by the Hudson's Bay Company. -But it seemed to many an unfair thing that this large -and fertile district should be given up as haunts for -the fox and the beaver, the moose and the buffalo. -</p> - -<p> -Accordingly a benevolent Scottish nobleman, the -Earl of Selkirk, struck by the poverty of his peasant -countrymen, obtained a grant of land from the -Company and resolved to begin a settlement on a -large scale at Red River. Now, at this time the -Hudson's Bay Company, as a fur-trading enterprise, -had a rival in Canada. This rival was known as the -North-West Company of Montreal. The "Nor'-Westers," -as they were called, objected to having the -solitudes of the north-west invaded by farmers and -shepherds, and no pains and misrepresentations were -spared to prejudice the public against Lord Selkirk's -scheme. They went up and down telling everybody -that the country was cold and barren, half waste, half -forest, unfit to be the abode of white men. "If you -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P276"></a>276}</span> -plant a colony out there," they told Lord Selkirk, -"your colonists will either freeze to death or be -massacred by the savages." Nevertheless Selkirk -sent out his emigrants in ships across Hudson's Bay, -and they made their way from thence slowly -southward to Red River. -</p> - -<p> -There was, besides the Hudson's Bay traders and -their rivals the Nor'-Westers, another class which -bitterly resented this invasion into their hunting -haunts. These were the half-breed bushrangers, who -were commonly called the Métis or Bois-Brulés. -These men, rough and untractable, were chiefly the -descendants of the French fur-hunters and trappers -who had married Indian women and settled down on -the shore of some distant lake or stream. In the -midst of these French half-breeds there grew up also -a number of Englishmen and Scotchmen hardly less -fond of the wild life of the wilderness than -themselves. These also took Indian wives, and when they -or their children were asked whether they were -English, Scotch, or Indian, they declared they were -not one or the other: "We belong to the New -Nation." -</p> - -<p> -It was only natural that amongst this rude race -there should arise a leader, a half-breed to whose -superior ability and natural advantages was added -an education in Montreal, the seat of the -co-partnery. Cuthbert Grant, which was the name this -individual bore, was known far and wide amongst -the hunters and trappers of Rupert's Land, and -everywhere commanded homage and respect. He -had risen to be one of the most enterprising and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P277"></a>277}</span> -valued agents of the Nor'-Westers, and was constantly -admitted to their councils. -</p> - -<p> -At the beginning of spring the "first brigade" of -immigrants resumed its journey to the Red River -Valley, arriving at what is now known as Point -Douglas late in August 1812. Hardly had they -reached this spot than they were immediately thrown -into the greatest fright and disorder. A band of -armed men, painted, disfigured, and apparelled like -savages, confronted the little trembling band of -colonists and bade them halt. They were told -briefly that they were unwelcome visitors in that -region, and must depart. The colonists might have -been urged to make a stand, but to the terrors of -hostile Indian and half-breed was added that of -prospective starvation, for none would sell them -provisions thereabouts. The painted warriors, who -were North-West Company Métis in disguise, urged -them to proceed to Pembina, across the American -border, where they would be unharmed, and offered -to conduct them thither. They acquiesced, and the -pilgrimage was resumed for seventy miles farther on. -At Pembina they passed the winter in tents, according -to the Indian fashion, subsisting on the products -of the chase, in common with the natives. -</p> - -<p> -Spring came, and it was decided to venture again -to plant the colony on the banks of the Red River. -Means were found to mollify their opponents, and -log-houses were built and patches of prairie sown -with corn. A small quantity of seed wheat, obtained -at Fort Alexander, yielded them handsome returns -at harvest time, and the lot of the settlers seemed -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P278"></a>278}</span> -brighter. Nevertheless they decided to repair to -Pembina for the winter, and, carefully saving their -corn, live by hunting until the spring. -</p> - -<p> -While affairs were thus proceeding with the -colonists, Lord Selkirk, in 1813, paid a visit to -Ireland, where he secured a large number of people as -servants for the fur trade and the colony, in addition -to those engaged in the Highlands. -</p> - -<p> -His colonists spent a winter rendered miserable -by the unfriendliness of the Indians and half-breeds. -But the Nor'-Westers were not yet satisfied. They -met at their great post of Fort William in the spring, -and set about planning for the complete destruction -of the colony. It excited the greatest indignation -and bitterness. They now determined to seduce -and inveigle away as many of the colonists as could -be induced to join the North-West standard, and -after they should have thus diminished their means -of defence, to exhort the Indians of Lac Rouge, -Fond du Lac, and other places to rise and destroy -the settlement. It was likewise their avowed -intention to seize the Governor of Red River and carry -him to Montreal as a prisoner, and so degrade the -authority under which the colony was established in -the eyes of the natives of that country. -</p> - -<p> -Gradually a number of the settlers were seduced -and instigated to disloyalty against their benefactors -and the Company. A large band of the Bois-Brulés -were, for two years, maintained and paraded in arms. -Now that the preparatory measures had reached -this stage the time seemed ripe for more decisive -measures. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P279"></a>279}</span> -</p> - -<p> -The ruling spirit amongst the half-breed hordes, -Cuthbert Grant, appeared on the scene, and with -him some of his choice dare-devil crew. The return -of the settlers to Red River had filled the minds of -the Bois-Brulés with rage. The contempt of the -wild hunters of the plains for the peaceful tillers of -the soil was great. They scorned them for their -manual labour; they reproachfully termed them -"the workers in gardens," and the phrase "pork-eaters," -formerly applied to the voyageurs east of -Fort William, was now used derisively towards the -Scotch settlers. All was now ready for a final blow -to the infant colony. -</p> - -<p> -In June 1815, after the colony at Red River had -been deprived of the means of defence and was in -great measure surrounded by its enemies, a large -force of Nor'-Westers, consisting of half-breeds, -servants, and clerks, sallied forth to make a combined -attack on the settlement. A sharp fire of musketry -was kept up for some time on the Governor's house -and adjacent buildings. After a series of attacks and -skirmishes, Governor M'Donnell was obliged to -surrender himself as a prisoner, and under a warrant -from a partner in the North-West Company, sent to -Montreal, charged with an undue arrogance of -authority, to the detriment of the fur trade. -</p> - -<p> -Great joy filled the breasts of the North-Westers -assembled at Fort William when these brave tidings -were conveyed to their ear. The news was -accompanied by convincing proofs of the great victory -gained over the enemy in the persons of 134 settlers, -including men, women, and children! -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P280"></a>280}</span> -</p> - -<p> -Deep were the potations, turbulent was the -revelry when the flushed Nor'-Westers returned from -Red River and took their places at the board. -They had gained a victory over the miserable -colonists despatched by Lord Selkirk to begin the -peopling of the West. The war between Britain -and America was ended, and so further relieved their -dread of punishment. But decisive as their triumph -seemed, it was short-lived. Even as they rejoiced -and made merry, the despised settlers had returned, -and affairs at Red River were shaping for a tragedy. -A new brigade of immigrants from Scotland also -arrived at Red River only to gaze upon the embers -of the burnt settlement. With them came a new -Governor for the colony, Robert Semple by name. -Governor Semple had been appointed to the chief -control of all the Hudson's Bay Company's factories -at Rupert's Land. -</p> - -<p> -Lord Selkirk himself arrived in Canada and began -engaging a number of disbanded troops to help him -quell the outrages of the Nor'-Westers and inflict -vengeance upon them for their murders and misdeeds. -The Nor'-Westers had not thought of this. -</p> - -<p> -The war with America being over, the hired -European regiments of De Meuron, Watteville, and -the Glengarry Fencibles in Canada were out of -employment. The privates, as well as their officers, -were entitled on their discharge to grants of lands in -Canada, and in the event of their accepting them, -the members of the two first-mentioned regiments -were not to be sent back to Europe. Selkirk perceived -in them an instrument ready to his hand, and, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P281"></a>281}</span> -mustering them together, he travelled towards the -stronghold of the Nor'-Westers, Fort William. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile Cuthbert Grant and his Bois-Brulés -began final hostilities against the Red River -settlement. One large post of the Hudson's Bay Company -was seized and pillaged, not only of all the English -goods, furs, and provisions, but also of the private -property of the servants. The Bois-Brulés then set -out to wipe the colony of Red River from the face -of the earth. -</p> - -<p> -On a bright June day Governor Semple, on the -way from York factory, learnt that he was to be -attacked in two days by the Bois-Brulés, who were -determined to take the fort. If any resistance were -made, neither men, women, nor children should be -spared. Two days later, while he was still gathering -the friendly Indians about him, a man in the watch-house -called out that the half-breeds were coming. -Semple and his officers surveyed the neighbouring -plains through their telescopes, and made out the -approach of some men on horseback. -</p> - -<p> -Semple, ever a man of peace, said, "We must go -out and meet these people; let twenty men follow -me." So they proceeded by the frequented path -leading to the settlement. As they went along they -met many of the colonists, who were running towards -them, crying: "The half-breeds! The half-breeds!" An -advance was made of about one mile, when some -persons on horseback were discerned close at hand, -and the Governor, somewhat uneasy at the signs of -their numbers, had just decided to send for a cannon, -when a fearful clamour pierced the air, and he saw -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P282"></a>282}</span> -it was too late. The half-breeds galloped forward, -their faces painted in the most hideous manner. All -were dressed in the Indian fashion, and surrounded -the Hudson's Bay people in the form of a half-moon. -As they advanced, the latter party retreated, and a -North-West hunter named Boucher rode up close to -Governor Semple and asked what he wanted there? -Semple replied by demanding of Boucher what he -and his party wanted? Boucher said, "We want -our fort," and the Governor's answer was, "Well, -go to your fort." "You rascal," shrieked Boucher, -"you have destroyed our fort." Semple, a man of -extremely mild manners and cultivated mind, flushed -with indignation at such an address. Incautiously -he laid hand upon the bridle of Boucher's horse. A -few high words passed. Two shots rang out in quick -succession, by the first of which an aide fell, and by -the second Semple was wounded. In a few minutes -the field was covered with bleeding forms; almost all -Semple's men were either killed or wounded. Save in -a single instance, no quarter was given; the injured -were summarily despatched, and on the bodies of the -dead were practised all the revolting horrors which -characterise the inhuman heart of the savage. -</p> - -<p> -To Lord Selkirk, on his way westward with a -party of about eighty soldiers, the first intelligence of -the massacre and destruction of the colony was -received when Sault Ste. Marie was reached. They -told him that the settlers and a large part of the -property of Red River had been transported to Fort -William. -</p> - -<p> -Filled with indignation, and determined to demand -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P283"></a>283}</span> -an explanation of this further bloody deed, the Earl -pressed on with all haste to the rendezvous of the -North-West Company. There, all unconscious of -his approach, no plan had been made either to defend -themselves or to arrest Selkirk's progress. -</p> - -<p> -Let us peep in at Fort William. On the night -preceding the Earl's arrival the Nor'-West partners -and their servants are seated at a rude banquet, at -which rum and brandy flow like water. Haunches -of beef and venison repose on the board, flanked by -many kinds of forest game. Laughter and toasting -deafen the ear. -</p> - -<p> -But if the scene within was noisy and animated, -that without beggars description. Hundreds of -voyageurs, soldiers, Indians, and half-breeds were -encamped together in the open, holding high revel. -They hailed from all over the globe, England, Ireland, -Scotland, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, -Holland, Switzerland, America, the African Gold -Coast, the Sandwich Islands, Bengal, Canada, with -Creoles, various tribes of Indians, and a mixed -progeny of Bois-Brulés or half-breeds. "Here," wrote -one trader, "were congregated on the shores of the -inland sea, within the walls of Fort William, -Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Methodists, Sun -worshippers, men from all parts of the world whose -creeds were 'wide as poles asunder,' united in one -common object, and bowing down before the same -idol." Women, soldiers, voyageurs, and Indians, in -ever-moving medley, danced, sang, drank, and -gambolled about the fort this night. -</p> - -<p> -But Nemesis was at hand. The Earl approached -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P284"></a>284}</span> -the fur-trading stronghold swiftly and silently. He -was on them before they realised it. An attempt -was made to shut the gate and prevent the troops -from entering. The fort people had succeeded in -shutting one half of the gate, and had almost closed -the other by force, when thirty soldiers forthwith -rushed to the spot and forced their way into the -stronghold of the Northmen. -</p> - -<p> -The notes of a bugle rang out across the river. -A fresh force of about thirty other veterans of -European battlefields hurried quickly over the stream -to join their comrades. Awed by the apparition of -so many arms and uniforms, the North-Westers -abandoned further resistance, and bloodshed was -happily averted. Those who had refused obedience -to the Earl's commands were seized and taken forcibly -to the boats, the others submitting peaceably to -arrest. -</p> - -<p><a id="img-284"></a></p> -<p class="capcenter"> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-284.jpg" alt="Meeting of the Nor'-Westers at Fort William, 1816" /> -<br /> -Meeting of the Nor'-Westers at Fort William, 1816 -</p> - -<p> -Fort William and the Nor'-Westers, together -with about two hundred French Canadians and half-breeds, -and sixty or seventy Iroquois Indians in and -about the fort, had been captured by Lord Selkirk. -He had become possessed, to use his own words, "of -a fort which had served, the last of any in the -British dominions, as an asylum for banditti and -murderers, and the receptacle for their plunder; a -fort which nothing less than the express and special -licence of his Majesty could authorise subjects to -hold; a fort which had served as the capital and -seat of government to the traitorously assumed -sovereignty of the North-West; a fort whose -possession could have enabled the North-West -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P285"></a>285}</span> -Company to have kept back all evidence of their -crimes." -</p> - -<p> -The heads of the evil-doing were summoned to -stand their trial in the east. But the Nor'-Westers -were bitter against the Earl who had dared to plant -a colony in the midst of their hunting grounds. -</p> - -<p> -"That canting rascal and hypocritical villain, Lord -Selkirk, has got possession of our post at Fort -William," wrote one of the aggrieved partners. -"Well, we will have him out of that fort," he -pursued amiably, "as the Hudson's Bay knaves shall -be cleared, bag and baggage, out of the North-West." -</p> - -<p> -But although no man was destined to see this -part of their prophecy fulfilled, yet Lord Selkirk, a -few weeks later, evacuated Fort William. No sooner -had the Earl and his forces left this great post than -the sheriff of Upper Canada arrived, took possession -of the fort and the Nor'-Westers, and restored it -to its original owners. Afterwards Imperial -commissioners appointed in the name of the Prince Regent -to restore law and order to the region went on to -Red River, whither Lord Selkirk had repaired. Law -and order were, however, not so easily restored. -The rivalry between the fur-traders was too strong, -the memory of bloodshed too recent for perfect -peace to be established in a few weeks or months. -</p> - -<p> -In the meantime Lord Selkirk left the matter of -retribution upon the murderers of Governor Semple -to the law and returned to England. Punishment -was duly meted out to the wrongdoers. The Red -River colony struggled manfully against adversity for -several winters, and it was not until 1822 that it at -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P286"></a>286}</span> -last surmounted the evils which threatened to starve -it out of existence. But the heart of its founder was -not to be gladdened by the tidings of its growing -prosperity. The Earl had reached England -disheartened; his health was shattered by the long -and anxious struggle to found a colony at Red -River, and in April 1820 he breathed his last. -Selkirk may be truly called the founder and father of -the prosperous North-West of to-day. -</p> - -<p> -Soon after his death the Hudson's Bay and North-West -Companies, for so long such fierce competitors -in the fur trade, joined hands in friendly partnership. -</p> - -<p> -Gone now for ever were the old free days of the -hunters and trappers, the bushrangers and voyageurs. -The whole fur trade was placed on a strictly -commercial basis. The Nor'-Westers, rough, enterprising -adventurers, found themselves part of a huge machine -operated by a governor and committee in far-away -England. Smaller and more remote grew the -regions where they could roam free and undisturbed. -Rupert's Land extended from the American border -to the Pole, and from the Great Lakes to the Pacific, -and the officers of the Hudson's Bay Company ruled -it and most of those who dwelt there with a rod of -iron for the next fifty years. -</p> - -<p> -Trouble, however, was still in store for Red -River. Blood was yet to flow before the Bois-Brulé -could adapt himself to the new order of things. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap18"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P287"></a>287}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XVIII -<br /><br /> -TRAITORS, REDCOATS, AND REDSKINS -</h3> - -<p> -When on that memorable morning in June 1837 -the young Princess Victoria was awakened from -her slumber and told that she had become mistress of -the British Empire, far away, in one part of the -Empire, two men were plotting to overthrow the -new Queen's authority. Canada was again beset by -disloyalty and rebellion. By this time that portion -of the country which Champlain had founded and -Frontenac ruled, now called Lower Canada, was filled -with industrious, God-fearing peasantry, tilling their -farms, pursuing the peaceful, wholesome life of the -village and countryside. Westward to them lay -Upper Canada and the towns and homesteads of the -Loyalists, into which many more thousands of settlers -had poured since the days of King George III. -Amongst both these people a host of agitators arose, -restless lawyer-politicians for the most part, who -cried out for liberty and a republic. We have seen -these crafty-eyed men, with their loud voices and -sardonic smile, stalking all through the pages of New -World history. They were the successors of the -renegades who revolted against Champlain, just as -150 years before that there were the jealous -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P288"></a>288}</span> -malcontents who revolted against Christopher Columbus -and brought him in sorrow to the grave. Frontenac -faced them, and with an effort he put them down; -the gallant Lasalle met his death at their hands; -under Samuel Adams they achieved a triumph in -New England which led to the loss of the thirteen -American colonies. A noisy, reckless faction of this -kind it was which had forced America into the -shameful, useless war of 1812. Now the revolutionists -stalked rampant in Canada, and it was high -time their leaders were overthrown and crushed. -In the English part of Canada, the Upper Provinces, -the revolutionaries were led by a rash and impulsive -Scotchmen named William Mackenzie. In Lower -Canada, which was chiefly peopled by French -Canadians, the rebels looked to Louis Papineau as -their leader. When Lord Gosford, the Governor, -warned the people of the peril they ran in listening to -the counsels of the demagogues who would ruin -them, they only met in the streets shouting "Long -live Papineau, our deliverer!" Daring bands of rebels, -called "Sons of Liberty," tore down the Governor's -proclamation. In a few weeks Papineau gave the -signal and his followers flew to arms. It was the -time of harvest; the grain had ripened and was ready -for the reaper, but the English settlers in Lower -Canada, loyal to their young Queen, dared not use -their scythes and sickles for fear of the loaded muskets -of the French Canadian rebels. They fled for refuge -to Montreal, where the first skirmish in the rebellion -took place. Then the rebels set upon a small body -of loyal cavalry marching from St. John's, on the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P289"></a>289}</span> -Richelieu River. Amongst them was a young officer, -Lieutenant Weir, the bearer of despatches from -Colonel Gore. He was made prisoner and placed in -the custody of some of the insurgents, who, regardless -of mercy and decency, butchered him in barbarous -fashion. While Weir was being hacked to pieces by -Papineau's men, the rebel leader learned from the -captured despatches that Gore and his soldiers were -marching upon them. At St. Denis, therefore, they -entrenched themselves, and for some hours held the -post, keeping up a deadly fire upon the troops. -</p> - -<p> -Fortunately for the English flag in Canada, there -was an able man to defend it in the person of Sir -John Colborne, one of the generals of the Duke of -Wellington. He sent Colonel Wetherell to take the -rebel post at St. Charles. Here a weak and foolish -American, who called himself "General" Brown, -abandoned his men almost at the first artillery -discharge. Though they fought on for a time, none -the worse for their leader's absence, they were soon -dispersed by assault. Colborne himself, with a force -of regulars and militia, marched to the villages of -St. Eustache and St. Benoit. The parish church at -St. Eustache, built of stone, was turned into a fort, -and here, in the sacred edifice, the rebels bade -defiance to the soldiers of the Queen. Their fate -was a terrible one. Flames shot through the roof -and steeple, and the walls began to fall in. The -rebels continuing to make a stand until escape was -too late, almost the whole number of those who -thus held St. Eustache were burnt to ashes. -</p> - -<p> -When Colborne marched his men on to St. Benoit -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P290"></a>290}</span> -the rebels, now thoroughly frightened at -their misdeeds, sued for peace. They surrendered -ignominiously, but this did not prevent the British -settlers, whose homes and harvests they had -destroyed, from venting their anger upon them, so that -this village and many houses round about fell a -prey to their wrath. That night the countryside -was lit up by a terrible glow. On the morrow it -was seen how few amongst the vast body of French -Canadians were really disloyal to the Government -which had given them political and religious liberty. -In one of the districts which had been claimed by -Papineau, 1500 militiamen put themselves under the -French Canadian, Colonel de Hertel, and declared -themselves staunch in their allegiance and ready to -help in quelling the rebellion. Although Papineau's -men had fled cravenly across the border at the first -outbreak of trouble, others still continued to foment -war and bloodshed. Two unhappy brothers named -Nelson gained an unenviable notoriety. One of them -boldly proclaimed the "Republic" of Canada; but all -they gained for their pains was the melancholy pleasure -of seeing their countrymen, of both French and -English origin, in distress, gaols filled with their -deluded followers, many of whom were afterwards -hanged for treason. -</p> - -<p> -While this was happening in Lower Canada -to cause the young Queen and her ministers anxiety, -in Upper Canada William Mackenzie and his -followers revelled in riot. Mackenzie fancied he was -another Washington; he wrote bombastic letters to -his fellow-traitor, Papineau, and busied himself with -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P291"></a>291}</span> -designing a flag for his new Republic, on which were -two stars, one for each province. At last Mackenzie -considered the time had come for war, and he -and his friends decided to capture Toronto. -</p> - -<p> -One bright, cold December day 1000 rebels were -entrenched at their rendezvous, Montgomery's tavern, -a few miles outside Toronto. An old soldier, who -had fought under Napoleon, Van Egmond, undertook -to drill them; Sam Lount, a beetle-browed blacksmith, -was their commander-in-chief. To nip their -schemes in the bud, against them marched the royal -Governor, Sir Francis Head, with 500 militia. The -Governor called upon them to surrender and lay -down their arms; they refused, and an exchange of -fire took place. Then the courage of the insurgents -oozed out, and they fled, the ringleader, Mackenzie, -being among the first who took to his heels. He -retired to a little spot in the middle of the -Niagara River called Navy Island, and proceeded to -establish what he called a Provisional Government. -Overhead, greatly to his own satisfaction, floated the -two-starred flag of the Canadian Republic. Here -Mackenzie impudently issued grants of land to all -who would take up arms in his cause, and despatched -them in a steamboat called the <i>Caroline</i>. One -dark night a dashing young British lieutenant -seized the rebel <i>Caroline</i>, which his American -sympathisers had lent to "President" Mackenzie, -set her on fire, and dropped her, a burning mass, over -the Niagara Falls. -</p> - -<p> -A time soon came when the American sympathisers -felt that they had gone too far, and their -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P292"></a>292}</span> -President issued a proclamation warning his people -against attacking a friendly power. In spite of this, -however, several American filibustering expeditions -took place before they realised the hopelessness of -endeavouring to seize Canada, as they had seized -Texas from a friendly nation like Mexico and make -it a part of their Republic. -</p> - -<p> -Mackenzie was arrested by the Americans themselves -and sentenced to eighteen months in gaol. -Had he been caught in Canada, he would have -suffered the fate of his companions and been hanged, -as he richly deserved, for treason. -</p> - -<p> -The disaffection all came to an end when Queen -Victoria's Government, acting on the advice of Lord -Durham, who had been sent to Canada to inquire into -the disturbances, united Upper Canada and Lower -Canada into one province, and granted the people the -power to manage their own affairs in a Parliament -of their own. After a time, when the Canadian -people could not agree upon a spot to be chosen -for a capital town for their now united Provinces -of Ontario and Quebec, they called upon Queen -Victoria to select one for them. It so happened -that there was on the banks of the Ottawa a little -village named Bytown, not far from two beautiful -falls, the Rideau and Chaudière. It was the scene -of a prosperous lumbering camp, and several -sawmills throve there; it was far removed from the -stress and the struggle of the French and English -parties, and from bitter political feeling. So the -young Queen, who had seen some sketches of the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P293"></a>293}</span> -village, chose it for the meeting-place of Parliament -and the residence of her Governor-General. All -parties were pleased, and so it came about that -Bytown was rechristened Ottawa, and it in course of -a few years became filled with magnificent buildings -and beautiful homes. -</p> - -<p> -Ottawa was destined to be still more important -and famous as the capital of the entire DOMINION OF -CANADA. For as time went on all the British -provinces, both of the east and the west, that -begun by Poutraincourt 250 years before in Acadia, -and that founded by Selkirk on the Red River, all -the colonies between the Atlantic and the Pacific -north of the American border, had grown and -flourished and sought to be welded into a single -nation under the British flag. Thirty years after -Papineau's rebellion, therefore, the desired union took -place, and in 1867 the Canadian Dominion, under -Sir John Macdonald's leadership, began its career. -</p> - -<p> -The new order of things involved many changes. -Amongst others it was time in the Far West that the -power of the Hudson's Bay Company over the vast -region of Rupert's Land should come to a close. -No longer was it meet and proper that a body of -fur-traders should be lords paramount over all this -territory. Yet neither the Company nor its dependents, -the voyageurs, trappers, and hunters, were eager -for any change. The Métis or Bois-Brulés, of whom -we spoke in the last chapter, had grown accustomed -to the Company's rule. "If," said they, "the -Company is no longer to govern us, then we -should govern ourselves." When they saw the first -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P294"></a>294}</span> -advance guard of Canadians from the east coming -in to take their land for farms, to lay out roads and -townships, the Bois-Bruits met in angry protest; -they defied the Canadians to take their country -without their consent. They were joined by a -number of American immigrants, who regarded any -political trouble with pleasure as hastening the -annexation which was the object of their desire. -</p> - -<p> -Again did a leader step quickly forth from their -ranks. His name was Louis Riel. Half-educated, -fanatical, this young man dreamed dreams of future -power and glory. In person he was short and stout, -with a large head, a high forehead, and an intelligent -eye; above his brow a mass of long and thick black -hair clustered. No sooner was it clear that the -authority of the Hudson's Bay Company had been -sold for Canadian gold, than Riel proclaimed himself -Dictator of the new province of Rupert's Land; he -issued a bombastic proclamation to his people -refusing to recognise the authority of Canada -"coming to rule us with a rod of despotism," and -declaring a Provisional Government, as so many -agitators had done before him. A new flag, -comprised of the fleur-de-lys and a shamrock, out of -compliment to the Irish Fenians, was hoisted over -Fort Garry, a strong stone fortress which the -Company had built on the Red River, not far from -where the city of Winnipeg now stands. -</p> - -<p> -When the Canadian Government heard of the -trouble that was brewing in its newly-acquired territory -of Rupert's Land, the greatest alarm was felt, for at -that very moment Governor MacDougall was on his -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P295"></a>295}</span> -way to Fort Garry to take charge of the new -territory. The Governor had just set foot across the -border when he was met by Riel and three or four -thousand followers at a barrier built across the -roadway. Two courses were open to him: to fight or -retreat. As he had no desire to shed blood, he -returned quietly across the border. -</p> - -<p> -Riel could not now keep his hot-headed followers -in hand. Sixty prisoners, all who dared to oppose his -schemes, were seized and locked up in the fort. A -commissioner was sent from Canada, Donald Smith, -afterwards Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal, to -allay the excitement, but his mission had no -immediate effect, for Louis Riel was resolved to play -a heroic part in the eyes of Indians and Métis. Several -of the leading men of the Company were put in -irons. So overwhelmed was the Company's governor, -that he took to his bed and never recovered. While -he lay in the shadow of death, the pitiless Riel stood -over him heaping him with abuse. As for Donald -Smith, Riel gave orders to his guard, "Shoot that -man," said he, "if he makes an attempt at escape or -disobeys my orders." But Donald Smith survived -the ordeal, living to be governor of the territory, and -afterwards to be known all over the Empire as one of -the chief builders of the Canadian Pacific Railway. -</p> - -<p> -Amongst the prisoners who had dared to defy -Riel's power was a resolute young Canadian named -Thomas Scott. Scott had refused to bow the knee -to the Dictator, and Riel resolved that he should die. -So on the 4th March 1870 Scott was led outside the -gate of the fort, with a white handkerchief bound -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P296"></a>296}</span> -across his brow; his coffin, with a white sheet thrown -upon it, was carried with him; his eyes were then -bandaged, he was allowed a few minutes for prayer, -and then told to kneel in the snow. Six half-breeds, -who had been plied heavily with drink, then raised -their muskets; their shots rang out, and Scott -immediately fell back, pierced by three bullets. -He had not been executed; he had been brutally -murdered. Like wild-fire through the east flew the -news of the death of Scott. Volunteers and regulars -were hastily summoned. At that time there was in -Canada an able Colonel of the British Army, by -name Garnet Wolseley. Very few knew his name -then, but he, too, was destined to be world-famous. -He instantly put himself at the head of the Red -River brigade and pressed on to Fort Garry to punish -the impudent traitor who had dared to set Canada -at defiance. The Red River brigade pressed on -through bad roads, dense forests; they crossed -lakes and turbulent rivers in leaky boats. A number -of accidents occurred and many narrow escapes from -rock and rapid. But at last through the 600 miles of -wilderness Colonel Wolseley and his men of the -brigade came to the neighbourhood of Fort Garry. -A line of skirmishers was thrown out in advance; -it was not yet known what defence "the little -Napoleon," as his adherents were fond of calling Riel, -would offer. To Wolseley's surprise, no banner floated -from the flagstaff and the gates of the fort were open. -Through the portals the Colonel and his brigade -marched, angry that they had been balked of their -prey. Louis Riel's courage had oozed out at the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P297"></a>297}</span> -last moment, and he had fled across the Assiniboine -River. -</p> - -<p><a id="img-296"></a></p> -<p class="capcenter"> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-296.jpg" alt="The Defeat of Louis Riel, Fish Creek, 1885" /> -<br /> -The Defeat of Louis Riel, Fish Creek, 1885 -</p> - -<p> -But Canada was not yet done with Louis Riel. -Fifteen years passed away—years of stirring change. -Thousands of colonists had poured into the new and -fertile province now called Manitoba, and a flourishing -city arose on the site of Fort Garry. In sullenness -the half-breeds still further withdrew into the heart -of the wilderness and settled on the banks of the -Saskatchewan and the far Saskatchewan Valley. -Silently they nourished hate against the settlers, -looking to their leader Riel, who lived in exile across -the American border, to come some day and avenge -their wrongs. -</p> - -<p> -Slowly but surely the farmers and ranchers pushed -the half-breeds and hunters farther and farther, -until they felt the forests slip from them. When -they could bear it no longer, they sent a message to -Riel to free them from the tyranny of the Canadian -immigrants. Riel answered the call; he rejoiced -this time in the title of Liberator, for he told the -Indians and Bois-Brulés he would liberate their lands -from the harvesters and ranchmen. Gathering -together not only the half-breeds, but many of the -red-men as well, the rebels advanced on the -Canadian militia at Duck Lake and inflicted upon -them a defeat. Flushed with this triumph, Riel -sought the chiefs of the Cree and Black Feet tribes; -he showed them how the Canadians could be driven -out of the country, and the old happy, careless, -prosperous days of the Indians would return. -Amongst those who listened was Big Bear, chieftain -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P298"></a>298}</span> -of the Crees, and Crow Foot of the warlike Black -Feet, besides Poundmaker and other chiefs. War -and butchery ensued; helpless settlers were shot -down without mercy. But Nemesis was at hand. -Canada was pouring an army of redcoats into the -turbulent North-West, and the fate of Riel and his -deluded half-breeds and redskin followers was sealed. -He himself was seized, found guilty of treason, and -hanged at last for his folly and his crimes. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -We have now in the pages of this book marked -the Romance of Canada from that summer day nearly -four centuries ago when the adventurous Cartier sailed -into the Gulf of St. Lawrence and marvelled at the -red-men and the beauty of the Canadian forests; we -have marked the gallant Poutraincourt plan his -picturesque little colony in Acadia; noted the deeds -of the valiant Champlain and his loyal trust in the -land for which he spent and suffered so much. Can -you forget the fortitude and unquenchable heroism -of the ill-fated Jesuits? The picturesque fidelity -and thrilling adventures of Charles de la Tour and -his brave wife; the heroic achievements of Frontenac; -the fierce struggle against fate of hapless Montcalm; -the glorious victory of Wolfe; the zeal and sufferings -of the United Empire Loyalists, pass in a succession -of pictures as we compass those three centuries of -time since Canada became the settled habitation of -lion-hearted men. -</p> - -<p> -Gradually the ferocious red-man with his musket -and tomahawk has been driven from his lodges and -wigwams in the east, to make way for bustling cities -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P299"></a>299}</span> -and thriving towns and villages. The lakes and -rivers, where the birch-bark canoes of the savage, -where the daring fur-hunters once thronged, laden -with the spoils of the forest, now bear on their bosoms -hundreds of busy steam-boats, freighted with the -produce of farm and orchard and factory. The -lonely, dangerous trails along which Champlain, -Frontenac, Lasalle, and Verendrye led their men -have given way to steel highroads which traverse the -entire Continent. Everywhere the spirit of progress -has smiled upon the land, and the farms, orchards, and -homesteads of Canada smile upward to the clear -heavens in return. -</p> - -<p> -Do not forget that Romance, though unseen by -the bodily eye, never dies. It is as beautiful as the -landscape or the setting sun. Search for it in the -annals of the past, and each grey lake, every simple -river, both hill and dale, have their stirring story to -tell of valour and heroic sacrifice, of noble endurance, -of patriotic deed. -</p> - -<p> -Canada was not easy in the making; much blood -flowed and many loyal hearts were broken before the -Great Dominion arose. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="index"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P301"></a>301}</span></p> - -<h3> -INDEX -</h3> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Abenaki tribe, <a href="#P139">139</a>, <a href="#P157">157</a>, <a href="#P158">158</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Abercrombie, General, <a href="#P209">209</a>, <a href="#P210">210</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Abraham, Plains of, <a href="#P217">217</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Acadia, <a href="#P18">18</a>, <a href="#P28">28</a>, <a href="#P101">101</a>, <a href="#P159">159</a>, <a href="#P179">179</a>, <a href="#P184">184</a>, -<a href="#P187">187</a>, <a href="#P190">190</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Aix-la-Chapelle, Treaty of, <a href="#P178">178</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Albany, Fort, <a href="#P118">118</a>, <a href="#P142">142</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Alexander, Sir W., <a href="#P50">50</a>, <a href="#P52">52</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Algonquin tribe, <a href="#P7">7</a>, <a href="#P31">31</a>, <a href="#P32">32</a>, <a href="#P33">33</a>, <a href="#P43">43</a>, -<a href="#P48">48</a>, <a href="#P77">77</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Allan, E., <a href="#P239">239</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Allumette Island, <a href="#P34">34</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -American revolutionary war, <a href="#P247">247</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -American war of 1812, <a href="#P262">262</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Amherst, General, <a href="#P208">208</a>, <a href="#P214">214</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Andros, Governor, <a href="#P128">128</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Annahotaha (chief), <a href="#P81">81</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Annapolis, <a href="#P20">20</a>, <a href="#P159">159</a>, <a href="#P169">169</a>, <a href="#P177">177</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Anson, Admiral, <a href="#P178">178</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Anville, Duke d', <a href="#P176">176</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Argall, S., <a href="#P26">26</a>, <a href="#P27">27</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Arnold, B., <a href="#P239">239</a>, <a href="#P245">245</a>, <a href="#P246">246</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Asgill, Captain, <a href="#P250">250</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Assiniboines tribe, <a href="#P104">104</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Avaugour, Marquis d', <a href="#P84">84</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Bailey, Governor, <a href="#P150">150</a>, <a href="#P152">152</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Barre, La, Governor, <a href="#P113">113</a>, <a href="#P122">122</a>, <a href="#P123">123</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Beauséjour, Fort, <a href="#P184">184</a>, <a href="#P188">188</a>, <a href="#P198">198</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Biard, Father, <a href="#P24">24</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Biencourt, Baron de, <a href="#P24">24</a>, <a href="#P27">27</a>, <a href="#P51">51</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Big Jaw (chief), <a href="#P123">123</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bigot, F., <a href="#P193">193</a>, <a href="#P203">203</a>, <a href="#P211">211</a>, <a href="#P230">230</a>, <a href="#P231">231</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bochat, Du Plessis, <a href="#P77">77</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Boerstler, <a href="#P269">269</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bois-Brulés, <a href="#P276">276</a>, <a href="#P278">278</a>, <a href="#P281">281</a>, <a href="#P294">294</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Borgne, Le, <a href="#P99">99</a>, <a href="#P100">100</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Boscawen, Admiral, <a href="#P209">209</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Boucher, <a href="#P282">282</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bougainville, General, <a href="#P217">217</a>, <a href="#P221">221</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bouillé, Helen (wife of Champlain), -<a href="#P33">33</a>, <a href="#P41">41</a>, <a href="#P66">66</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bouquet, Colonel, <a href="#P236">236</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Braddock, General, <a href="#P196">196</a>, <a href="#P197">197</a>, <a href="#P199">199</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bradstreet, Colonel, <a href="#P210">210</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Brant, Mollie, <a href="#P200">200</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Brébeuf, J. de, <a href="#P59">59</a>, <a href="#P71">71</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Breda, Treaty of, <a href="#P101">101</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -British Columbia, <a href="#P12">12</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Brock, I., <a href="#P263">263</a>, <a href="#P264">264</a>, <a href="#P265">265</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Burton, Colonel, <a href="#P219">219</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Cabot, John, <a href="#P3">3</a>, <a href="#P12">12</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cabot, Sebastian, <a href="#P3">3</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cadet, <a href="#P231">231</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cadillac, La Motte, <a href="#P166">166</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Caen, W. and E. de, <a href="#P43">43</a>, <a href="#P45">45</a>, <a href="#P49">49</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Callières, De, Governor, <a href="#P124">124</a>, <a href="#P126">126</a>, -<a href="#P131">131</a>, <a href="#P154">154</a>, <a href="#P155">155</a>, <a href="#P156">156</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Canada, <a href="#P3">3</a>, <a href="#P6">6</a>, <a href="#P14">14</a>; first colonisation -of, <a href="#P16">16</a>; <a href="#P18">18</a>, <a href="#P165">165</a>, <a href="#P203">203</a>; and the -American Revolution, <a href="#P239">239</a>, <a href="#P256">256</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cape Breton, <a href="#P50">50</a>, <a href="#P163">163</a>, <a href="#P166">166</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Carleton, Sir G., <a href="#P239">239</a>, <a href="#P243">243</a>, <a href="#P244">244</a>, <a href="#P257">257</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Caron, J. le, <a href="#P36">36</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cartier, Jacques, <a href="#P2">2</a>, <a href="#P3">3</a>, <a href="#P5">5</a>, <a href="#P7">7</a>, <a href="#P9">9</a>; dies, -<a href="#P10">10</a>; <a href="#P30">30</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cayuga tribe, <a href="#P31">31</a>, <a href="#P182">182</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Célèron, Chevalier, <a href="#P182">182</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Chaleurs, Baie de, <a href="#P4">4</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Champlain, Lake, <a href="#P32">32</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Champlain, S. de, <a href="#P17">17</a>, <a href="#P19">19</a>, <a href="#P22">22</a>, <a href="#P27">27</a>, -<a href="#P29">29</a>, <a href="#P31">31</a>, <a href="#P46">46</a>, <a href="#P47">47</a>, <a href="#P55">55</a>, <a href="#P56">56</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Charles I., <a href="#P47">47</a>, <a href="#P51">51</a>, <a href="#P54">54</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Charnisay, Chevalier de, <a href="#P93">93</a>, <a href="#P94">94</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Chastes, A. de, <a href="#P16">16</a>, <a href="#P18">18</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Chateauguay, battle of, <a href="#P273">273</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Chauvin, <a href="#P15">15</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Chrysler's Farm, battle of, <a href="#P273">273</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Colborne, Sir J., <a href="#P289">289</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Columbus, C., <a href="#P2">2</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Contrecour, <a href="#P198">198</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cook, Captain J., <a href="#P215">215</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cornwallis, E., <a href="#P184">184</a>, <a href="#P185">185</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cornwallis, General, <a href="#P249">249</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Courcelle, Sieur de, <a href="#P85">85</a>, <a href="#P88">88</a>, <a href="#P103">103</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cromwell, Oliver, <a href="#P100">100</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Crown Point, <a href="#P200">200</a>, <a href="#P239">239</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Dale, Sir T., <a href="#P27">27</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Daniel, Father, <a href="#P70">70</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dauversiére, J. de la, <a href="#P62">62</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Deerfield, raid of, <a href="#P157">157</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Denonville, Marquis de, <a href="#P124">124</a>, <a href="#P126">126</a>, -<a href="#P129">129</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Destournelles, Admiral, <a href="#P177">177</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Detroit, <a href="#P233">233</a>, <a href="#P270">270</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dieskau, Baron, <a href="#P196">196</a>, <a href="#P200">200</a>, <a href="#P201">201</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dinwiddie, Governor, <a href="#P195">195</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dixon, <a href="#P120">120</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dollard, A. (Daulac des Ormeaux), -<a href="#P80">80</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Donacona (chief), <a href="#P6">6</a>, <a href="#P8">8</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dongan, Colonel, <a href="#P112">112</a>, <a href="#P126">126</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Drake, Sir F., <a href="#P12">12</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Drucour, General, <a href="#P209">209</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Duchambon, <a href="#P173">173</a>, <a href="#P174">174</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Duchesneau, <a href="#P107">107</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Duck Lake, battle of, <a href="#P297">297</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dupuy, Captain, <a href="#P78">78</a>, <a href="#P79">79</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Duquesne, Fort, <a href="#P197">197</a>, <a href="#P198">198</a>, <a href="#P201">201</a>, <a href="#P210">210</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Duquesue, Marquis, <a href="#P194">194</a>, <a href="#P195">195</a>, <a href="#P196">196</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Durham, Earl of, <a href="#P292">292</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Duval, J., <a href="#P30">30</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Duvivier, <a href="#P169">169</a>, <a href="#P170">170</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Edward, Fort, <a href="#P200">200</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Elizabeth, Queen, <a href="#P12">12</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Erie tribe, <a href="#P78">78</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Etherington, Captain, <a href="#P235">235</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Finisterre, Cape, battle of, <a href="#P178">178</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Fitzgibbon, <a href="#P267">267</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Five Nations (Indian), <a href="#P31">31</a>, <a href="#P37">37</a>, <a href="#P125">125</a>, -<a href="#P153">153</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Flèche, Father la, <a href="#P23">23</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Francis I. (France), <a href="#P3">3</a>, <a href="#P10">10</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Frobisher, Martin, <a href="#P12">12</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Frontenac, Count of, <a href="#P103">103</a>, <a href="#P106">106</a>, <a href="#P112">112</a>, -<a href="#P113">113</a>, <a href="#P130">130</a>, <a href="#P135">135</a>, <a href="#P137">137</a>, <a href="#P153">153</a>, <a href="#P154">154</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Frontenac, Fort, <a href="#P110">110</a>, <a href="#P153">153</a>, <a href="#P210">210</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Fur trade, <a href="#P11">11</a>, <a href="#P16">16</a>, <a href="#P33">33</a>, <a href="#P43">43</a>, <a href="#P104">104</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Galissonière, Governor, <a href="#P179">179</a>, <a href="#P181">181</a>, -<a href="#P182">182</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Garry, Fort, <a href="#P294">294</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gaspé, Cape, <a href="#P4">4</a>, <a href="#P48">48</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -George, Fort, <a href="#P200">200</a>, <a href="#P201">201</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -George III., <a href="#P257">257</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gilbert, Sir H., <a href="#P12">12</a>, <a href="#P13">13</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gladwin, Major, <a href="#P233">233</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gore, Colonel, <a href="#P289">289</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gosford, Lord, <a href="#P288">288</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Grant, C., <a href="#P276">276</a>, <a href="#P279">279</a>, <a href="#P281">281</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Green Mountain Boys, <a href="#P239">239</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Groseilliers, C. de, <a href="#P104">104</a>, <a href="#P105">105</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Guercheville, Madame de, <a href="#P24">24</a>, <a href="#P25">25</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Halifax, N.S., <a href="#P184">184</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hampton, General, <a href="#P272">272</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Harren, Major de, <a href="#P269">269</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Harrison, General, <a href="#P271">271</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Haverhill, massacre of, <a href="#P158">158</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Head, Sir F., <a href="#P291">291</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hearne, S., <a href="#P252">252</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hébert, L., <a href="#P41">41</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Henry IV. (of France), <a href="#P13">13</a>, <a href="#P18">18</a>, <a href="#P24">24</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Henry VIII., <a href="#P1">1</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hertel, F., <a href="#P133">133</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hill, Sir J., <a href="#P160">160</a>, <a href="#P161">161</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hochelaga, <a href="#P6">6</a>, <a href="#P31">31</a>, <a href="#P33">33</a>, <a href="#P63">63</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Holmes, Captain, <a href="#P234">234</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Holy Cross (Ste. Croix) River, <a href="#P19">19</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Horses, <a href="#P164">164</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Howe, Captain, <a href="#P186">186</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Howe, Lord, <a href="#P209">209</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hudson, H., <a href="#P35">35</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hudson's Bay, <a href="#P35">35</a>, <a href="#P142">142</a>, <a href="#P251">251</a>, <a href="#P276">276</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hudson's Bay Company, <a href="#P103">103</a>, <a href="#P105">105</a> -<a href="#P286">286</a>, <a href="#P293">293</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Huguenots, the, <a href="#P45">45</a>, <a href="#P46">46</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hull, General, <a href="#P264">264</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -"Hundred Associates, Company of -the," <a href="#P46">46</a>, <a href="#P55">55</a>, <a href="#P63">63</a>, <a href="#P84">84</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Huron tribe, <a href="#P31">31</a>, <a href="#P33">33</a>, <a href="#P36">36</a>, <a href="#P48">48</a>, <a href="#P57">57</a>, <a href="#P59">59</a>, -<a href="#P69">69</a>, <a href="#P73">73</a>, <a href="#P77">77</a>, <a href="#P79">79</a>, <a href="#P126">126</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Iberville, Sieur d', <a href="#P115">115</a>, <a href="#P117">117</a>, <a href="#P121">121</a>, -<a href="#P143">143</a>, <a href="#P144">144</a>, <a href="#P148">148</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Indians, Red, <a href="#P4">4</a>, <a href="#P12">12</a>, <a href="#P31">31</a>, <a href="#P42">42</a>, <a href="#P231">231</a>, -<a href="#P264">264</a> (see also under individual -tribes) -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Iroquois tribe, <a href="#P31">31</a>, <a href="#P36">36</a>, <a href="#P57">57</a>, <a href="#P60">60</a>, <a href="#P65">65</a>, -<a href="#P112">112</a>, <a href="#P124">124</a>, <a href="#P127">127</a>, <a href="#P132">132</a>, <a href="#P139">139</a>, <a href="#P153">153</a>, <a href="#P155">155</a>, -<a href="#P202">202</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Isle Royale (Cape Breton), <a href="#P166">166</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -James I., <a href="#P26">26</a>, <a href="#P50">50</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Jefferson, T., <a href="#P263">263</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Jesuits, <a href="#P23">23</a>, <a href="#P25">25</a>, <a href="#P45">45</a>, <a href="#P55">55</a>, <a href="#P59">59</a>, <a href="#P90">90</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Joannès, town-major, <a href="#P223">223</a>, <a href="#P224">224</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Jogues, Father, <a href="#P67">67</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Johnson, W., <a href="#P182">182</a>, <a href="#P198">198</a>, <a href="#P200">200</a>, <a href="#P202">202</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Jolliet, <a href="#P107">107</a>, <a href="#P108">108</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Jonquière, Marquis de la, <a href="#P177">177</a>, <a href="#P178">178</a>, -<a href="#P179">179</a>, <a href="#P193">193</a>, <a href="#P194">194</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Kirke, Sir D., <a href="#P47">47</a>, <a href="#P49">49</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Kirke, L., <a href="#P49">49</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Koudiaronk (chief), <a href="#P126">126</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Labrador, <a href="#P3">3</a>, <a href="#P12">12</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lachine, massacre of, <a href="#P128">128</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lalement, Father, <a href="#P72">72</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Larobeyre, <a href="#P129">129</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Laval, F. de, <a href="#P84">84</a>, <a href="#P86">86</a>, <a href="#P107">107</a>, <a href="#P112">112</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lawrence, Colonel, <a href="#P186">186</a>, <a href="#P188">188</a>, <a href="#P190">190</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Leaden plates and shields, the, <a href="#P182">182</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lescarbot, <a href="#P20">20</a>, <a href="#P21">21</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lévis, Chevalier de, <a href="#P223">223</a>, <a href="#P226">226</a>, <a href="#P228">228</a>, -<a href="#P229">229</a>, <a href="#P230">230</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Loudon, Earl of, <a href="#P205">205</a>, <a href="#P207">207</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Louis XIII., <a href="#P24">24</a>, <a href="#P50">50</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Louis XV., <a href="#P193">193</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Louisburg, <a href="#P166">166</a>, <a href="#P169">169</a>, <a href="#P172">172</a>, <a href="#P174">174</a>, <a href="#P178">178</a>, -<a href="#P209">209</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Louisiana, <a href="#P112">112</a>, <a href="#P113">113</a>, <a href="#P181">181</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lount, Sam, <a href="#P291">291</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Loutre, Father le, <a href="#P171">171</a>, <a href="#P177">177</a>, <a href="#P184">184</a>, -<a href="#P185">185</a>, <a href="#P186">186</a>, <a href="#P188">188</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Loyalists, American, exodus of, <a href="#P258">258</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lundy's Lane, battle of, <a href="#P274">274</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Macdonald, Sir J., <a href="#P293">293</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -M'Donnell, Governor, <a href="#P279">279</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -M'Dougall, Governor, <a href="#P294">294</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mackenzie, W., <a href="#P288">288</a>, <a href="#P290">290</a>, <a href="#P291">291</a>, <a href="#P292">292</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Maisonneuve, Sieur de, <a href="#P63">63</a>, <a href="#P66">66</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mance, Jeanne, <a href="#P63">63</a>, <a href="#P65">65</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Margerie, F. and G., <a href="#P60">60</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Marie de Medici, Queen, <a href="#P24">24</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Marquette, Father, <a href="#P107">107</a>, <a href="#P108">108</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Martigny, <a href="#P150">150</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mascarene, P., <a href="#P169">169</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Massé, E., <a href="#P24">24</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mazarin, Cardinal, <a href="#P99">99</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Membertou (chief), <a href="#P20">20</a>, <a href="#P22">22</a>, <a href="#P23">23</a>, <a href="#P25">25</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Menou, C. de, <i>see</i> Charnisay -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Micmac tribe, <a href="#P185">185</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mississippi river, <a href="#P106">106</a>, <a href="#P108">108</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mohawk tribe, <a href="#P31">31</a>, <a href="#P32">32</a>, <a href="#P68">68</a>, <a href="#P78">78</a>, <a href="#P87">87</a>, -<a href="#P90">90</a>, <a href="#P200">200</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Monckton, Colonel, <a href="#P188">188</a>, <a href="#P189">189</a>, <a href="#P198">198</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Montcalm, Marquis de, <a href="#P204">204</a>, <a href="#P205">205</a>, -<a href="#P206">206</a>, <a href="#P207">207</a>, <a href="#P210">210</a>, <a href="#P211">211</a>, <a href="#P213">213</a>, <a href="#P215">215</a>, <a href="#P217">217</a>, -<a href="#P218">218</a>; his death, <a href="#P219">219</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Montgomery, R., <a href="#P239">239</a>, <a href="#P244">244</a>, <a href="#P245">245</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Montmagny, C. de, <a href="#P56">56</a>, <a href="#P64">64</a>, <a href="#P76">76</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -"Montmorency, Company of, " <a href="#P43">43</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Montmorency, Duke of, <a href="#P45">45</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Montmorency, river, <a href="#P215">215</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Montreal, <a href="#P6">6</a>, <a href="#P17">17</a>, <a href="#P62">62</a>, <a href="#P229">229</a>, <a href="#P239">239</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Monts, Sieur de, <a href="#P17">17</a>, <a href="#P22">22</a>, <a href="#P24">24</a>, <a href="#P29">29</a>, <a href="#P32">32</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Moon, Captain, <a href="#P142">142</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Moose Factory, <a href="#P115">115</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Morrison, Colonel, <a href="#P274">274</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mount Desert, <a href="#P26">26</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mount Royal, <a href="#P8">8</a>, <a href="#P17">17</a>, <a href="#P62">62</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mouton, Port, <a href="#P18">18</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Munro, Colonel, <a href="#P205">205</a>, <a href="#P206">206</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Murray, General, <a href="#P224">224</a>, <a href="#P226">226</a>, <a href="#P228">228</a>, -<a href="#P233">233</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Napoleon I., <a href="#P262">262</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Natanis (chief), <a href="#P241">241</a>, <a href="#P242">242</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Nelson, Fort, <a href="#P143">143</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -New Brunswick, <a href="#P12">12</a>, <a href="#P101">101</a>, <a href="#P179">179</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Newfoundland, <a href="#P3">3</a>, <a href="#P11">11</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -"New Nation, " <a href="#P276">276</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -New Netherlands, <a href="#P35">35</a>, <a href="#P87">87</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -New York, <a href="#P250">250</a>, <a href="#P257">257</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Niagara, Fort, <a href="#P210">210</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Nicollet, J., <a href="#P76">76</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Nicholson, Colonel, <a href="#P169">169</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -North-West Company, <a href="#P275">275</a>, <a href="#P277">277</a>, -<a href="#P278">278</a>, <a href="#P279">279</a>, <a href="#P286">286</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Nova Scotia, <a href="#P12">12</a>, <a href="#P18">18</a>, <a href="#P51">51</a>, <a href="#P100">100</a>, <a href="#P101">101</a>, -<a href="#P163">163</a>, <a href="#P169">169</a>, <a href="#P183">183</a>, <a href="#P258">258</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Nova Scotia, Baronets of, <a href="#P51">51</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Ohio Company, <a href="#P194">194</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Oneida tribe, <a href="#P31">31</a>, <a href="#P140">140</a>, <a href="#P153">153</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Onondaga tribe, <a href="#P31">31</a>, <a href="#P37">37</a>, <a href="#P78">78</a>, <a href="#P80">80</a>, <a href="#P153">153</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ontario, Lake, <a href="#P36">36</a>, <a href="#P258">258</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -"Order of a Good Time, " <a href="#P21">21</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Oswego, <a href="#P205">205</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ottawa, city, <a href="#P34">34</a>, <a href="#P293">293</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ottawa, river, <a href="#P34">34</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Palliser, Sir H., <a href="#P215">215</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Papineau, L., <a href="#P288">288</a>, <a href="#P290">290</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Péan, Madame, <a href="#P193">193</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Peltrie, Madame de la, <a href="#P58">58</a>, <a href="#P64">64</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pembina, <a href="#P277">277</a>, <a href="#P278">278</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pennsylvania, <a href="#P194">194</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pepperell, W., <a href="#P173">173</a>, <a href="#P174">174</a>, <a href="#P175">175</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pérouse, Admiral la, <a href="#P252">252</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Perrot, Governor, <a href="#P107">107</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Perrot, N., <a href="#P106">106</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Phips, Sir W., <a href="#P134">134</a>, <a href="#P135">135</a>, <a href="#P138">138</a>, <a href="#P139">139</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pitt, Fort, <a href="#P236">236</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pitt, William, <a href="#P208">208</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pittsburg, <a href="#P210">210</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Point Lévis, <a href="#P214">214</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pontgravé, <a href="#P15">15</a>, <a href="#P16">16</a>, <a href="#P29">29</a>, <a href="#P31">31</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pontiac (chief), <a href="#P232">232</a>, <a href="#P233">233</a>, <a href="#P236">236</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Portneuf, <a href="#P133">133</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Port Royal, <a href="#P19">19</a>, <a href="#P20">20</a>, <a href="#P25">25</a>, <a href="#P27">27</a>, <a href="#P52">52</a>, <a href="#P99">99</a>, -<a href="#P158">158</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Poutraincourt, Baron de, <a href="#P19">19</a>, <a href="#P23">23</a>, -<a href="#P24">24</a>, <a href="#P25">25</a>, <a href="#P28">28</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Prince Edward Island, <a href="#P12">12</a>, <a href="#P101">101</a>, <a href="#P261">261</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Prince of Wales, Fort, <a href="#P251">251</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Proctor, General, <a href="#P270">270</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Quebec, <a href="#P12">12</a>, <a href="#P23">23</a>, <a href="#P29">29</a>, <a href="#P30">30</a>, <a href="#P36">36</a>, <a href="#P49">49</a>, <a href="#P75">75</a>, -<a href="#P135">135</a>, <a href="#P137">137</a>, <a href="#P165">165</a>, <a href="#P211">211</a>, <a href="#P214">214</a>; storming -of, <a href="#P216">216</a>; <a href="#P222">222</a>, <a href="#P224">224</a>, <a href="#P228">228</a>, <a href="#P245">245</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Queenston Heights, battle of, <a href="#P266">266</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Radisson, P. E., <a href="#P104">104</a>, <a href="#P105">105</a>, <a href="#P114">114</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ramésay, Commandant, <a href="#P223">223</a>, <a href="#P224">224</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Razilly, Captain do, <a href="#P93">93</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Recollet priests, <a href="#P36">36</a>, <a href="#P42">42</a>, <a href="#P46">46</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Red River Settlement, <a href="#P261">261</a>, <a href="#P275">275</a>, <a href="#P285">285</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Rensselaer, General van, <a href="#P265">265</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Richelieu, Cardinal, <a href="#P46">46</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Richelieu, Fort, <a href="#P67">67</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Riel, L., <a href="#P294">294</a>, <a href="#P295">295</a>, <a href="#P296">296</a>, <a href="#P298">298</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Roberval, Sieur de, <a href="#P9">9</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Roche, Marquis de la, <a href="#P13">13</a>, <a href="#P15">15</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Rocky Mountains, <a href="#P168">168</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Rodney, Admiral, <a href="#P256">256</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Rupert, Fort, <a href="#P117">117</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Rupert, Prince, <a href="#P105">105</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Rupert's Land, <a href="#P294">294</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ryswick, Peace of, <a href="#P153">153</a>, <a href="#P156">156</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Sable Island, <a href="#P14">14</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Castin, Baron de, <a href="#P102">102</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Foye, battle of, <a href="#P227">227</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Germain-en-Laye, Treaty of, <a href="#P54">54</a>, -<a href="#P55">55</a>, <a href="#P93">93</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ste. Hélène, Sieur de, <a href="#P115">115</a>, <a href="#P117">117</a>, -<a href="#P132">132</a>, <a href="#P139">139</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -St. John's (N.B.), <a href="#P12">12</a>, <a href="#P259">259</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Joseph, massacre of, <a href="#P70">70</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Joseph Island, <a href="#P74">74</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Lawrence river, <a href="#P3">3</a>, <a href="#P5">5</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Louis, Château de, <a href="#P41">41</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Mary on Wye, <a href="#P71">71</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Pierre, Legardeur de, <a href="#P194">194</a>, <a href="#P195">195</a>, -<a href="#P201">201</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Vincent, Earl, <a href="#P214">214</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Salaberry, Colonel de, <a href="#P272">272</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Salle, Sieur de la, <a href="#P107">107</a>, <a href="#P109">109</a>, <a href="#P112">112</a>, -<a href="#P181">181</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Sargeant, Governor, <a href="#P118">118</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Saussaye, La, <a href="#P26">26</a>, <a href="#P27">27</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Schuyler, J., <a href="#P134">134</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Scott, T., <a href="#P295">295</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Secord, J., <a href="#P267">267</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Secord, Laura, <a href="#P267">267</a>, <a href="#P270">270</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Selkirk, Earl of, <a href="#P261">261</a>, <a href="#P275">275</a>; <a href="#P278">278</a>, <a href="#P280">280</a>, -<a href="#P282">282</a>, <a href="#P285">285</a>, <a href="#P286">286</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Semple, R., <a href="#P280">280</a>, <a href="#P281">281</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Seneca tribe, <a href="#P31">31</a>, <a href="#P122">122</a>, <a href="#P123">123</a>, <a href="#P125">125</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Sérigny, <a href="#P151">151</a>, <a href="#P152">152</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Sheaffe, R., <a href="#P266">266</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Shelburne, <a href="#P259">259</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Shirley, W., <a href="#P172">172</a>, <a href="#P175">175</a>, <a href="#P183">183</a>, <a href="#P188">188</a>, -<a href="#P198">198</a>, <a href="#P200">200</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Smithsend, Captain, <a href="#P150">150</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Strathcona, Lord, <a href="#P295">295</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Subercase, <a href="#P129">129</a>, <a href="#P159">159</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Sulpician fathers, <a href="#P83">83</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Superior, Lake, <a href="#P76">76</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Talon, J. B., <a href="#P85">85</a>, <a href="#P90">90</a>, <a href="#P92">92</a>, <a href="#P103">103</a>, <a href="#P106">106</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Tecumseh (chief), <a href="#P264">264</a>, <a href="#P270">270</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Tessouat (chief), <a href="#P34">34</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ticonderoga, Fort, <a href="#P209">209</a>, <a href="#P239">239</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Tonti, H. de, <a href="#P110">110</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Toronto, <a href="#P266">266</a>, <a href="#P291">291</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Tour, Charles de la, <a href="#P51">51</a>, <a href="#P53">53</a>, <a href="#P55">55</a>, <a href="#P93">93</a>, -<a href="#P98">98</a>, <a href="#P100">100</a>, <a href="#P101">101</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Tour, Claude de la, <a href="#P51">51</a>, <a href="#P52">52</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Tour, Madame de la, <a href="#P96">96</a>, <a href="#P97">97</a>, <a href="#P98">98</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Townsend, General, <a href="#P222">222</a>, <a href="#P223">223</a>, <a href="#P224">224</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Tracy, Marquis de, <a href="#P85">85</a>, <a href="#P88">88</a>, <a href="#P90">90</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Troyes, Chevalier de, <a href="#P113">113</a>, <a href="#P121">121</a>, <a href="#P122">122</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -"U.E.L.," <a href="#P260">260</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Utrecht, Treaty of, <a href="#P101">101</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Vauban, <a href="#P166">166</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Vaudreuil, Marquis de, <a href="#P157">157</a>, <a href="#P162">162</a>, -<a href="#P163">163</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Vaudreuil, Marquis de (son of -above), <a href="#P196">196</a>, <a href="#P199">199</a>, <a href="#P202">202</a>, <a href="#P212">212</a>, <a href="#P213">213</a>, -<a href="#P221">221</a>, <a href="#P222">222</a>, <a href="#P229">229</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Vauquelin, <a href="#P229">229</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ventadour, Duke de, <a href="#P45">45</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Verchères, Madeleine de la, <a href="#P141">141</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Verendrye, Sieur, <a href="#P167">167</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Vergennes, De, <a href="#P250">250</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Vergor, <a href="#P188">188</a>, <a href="#P189">189</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Verrazano, <a href="#P3">3</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Versailles, Treaty of, <a href="#P256">256</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Vetch, S., <a href="#P160">160</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Vigneau, N., <a href="#P34">34</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ville Marie de Montreal, <a href="#P63">63</a>, <a href="#P65">65</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Vimont, Father, <a href="#P64">64</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Virginia, <a href="#P26">26</a>, <a href="#P194">194</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Walker, Sir H., <a href="#P160">160</a>, <a href="#P161">161</a>, <a href="#P162">162</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Walley, Major, <a href="#P138">138</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Warren, Commodore, <a href="#P173">173</a>, <a href="#P176">176</a>, <a href="#P178">178</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Washington, George, <a href="#P195">195</a>, <a href="#P196">196</a>, <a href="#P199">199</a>, -<a href="#P243">243</a>, <a href="#P250">250</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Weir, Lieutenant, <a href="#P289">289</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Wilberforce, William, <a href="#P256">256</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Wilkinson, General, <a href="#P272">272</a>, <a href="#P273">273</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -William, Fort, <a href="#P283">283</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -William Henry, Fort, <a href="#P205">205</a>; massacre -of, <a href="#P207">207</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Winnipeg, Lake, <a href="#P167">167</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Winslow, Colonel, <a href="#P190">190</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Winthrop, Colonel, <a href="#P134">134</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Wolfe, J., <a href="#P137">137</a>, <a href="#P208">208</a>, <a href="#P209">209</a>, <a href="#P212">212</a>, <a href="#P216">216</a>, -<a href="#P216">216</a>; his death, <a href="#P219">219</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Wolseley, Garnet J., <a href="#P296">296</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Wool, Captain, <a href="#P265">265</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -York Factory, <a href="#P263">263</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Yorktown, surrender of, <a href="#P249">249</a> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -THE END -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY <br /> -THOMAS NELSON AND SONS, LTD. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Canada, by Beckles Willson - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CANADA *** - -***** This file should be named 62154-h.htm or 62154-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/2/1/5/62154/ - -Produced by Al Haines -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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