Allemand and Godefroy kept sentinel duty at
the gates. La Chesnaye, Foret, and Jack Battle held the bastions, and
the rest stood guard in front of the main building.
From my place I saw how it happened.
The lieutenant stepped back to let M. de Radisson pass up the ship's
ladder first. The New Englanders followed, the lieutenant still
waiting at the bottom step; and when M. Radisson's back was turned the
lieutenant darted down the river bank in the direction of Governor
Brigdar's fort.
The flag went up and M. Radisson looked back to witness the salute.
Then he discovered the lieutenant's flight. The New Englanders'
purpose was easily guessed--to lock forces with Governor Brigdar, and
while our strength was divided attack us here or at the Habitation.
"One fight at a time," says Radisson, summoning to council in the
powder-house all hands but our guard at the gate. "You, Allemand and
Godefroy, will cross the marsh to-night, bidding Chouart be ready for
attack and send back re-enforcements here! You two lads"--pointing to
the stowaway and scullion--"will boil down bears' grease and porpoise
fat for a half a hundred cressets! Cut up all the brooms in the fort!
Use pine-boughs! Split the green wood and slip in oiled rags! Have a
hundred lights ready by ten of the clock! Go--make haste, or I throw
you both into the pot!
"You, Foret and La Chesnaye, transfer all the New Englanders to the
hold of the ship and batten them under! If there's to be fighting, let
the enemies be outside the walls.
Pages:
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177