The Rivals of Acadia | Page 4

who chose, to engage in
commerce with him. He had just returned from France, in a ship well
laden with supplies for his fort at St. John's, and a stout crew, who were
mostly protestants of Rochelle. But he found the fort besieged, and the
mouth of the river shut up, by several vessels of D'Aulney's, whose
force it would have been temerity to oppose. He sailed directly to
Boston, to implore assistance in removing his enemy; bringing with
him a commission from the king, which established his authority, as
lieutenant-general in Acadia.

It was under these circumstances, that the French vessel appeared in the
harbor of Boston, the innocent cause of so much alarm to the
inhabitants. Governor Winthrop heard the details and arguments of De
Valette, with polite attention; but he declined advancing any opinion,
till he had consulted with the deputy, and other magistrates. He,
however, desired Mr. Stanhope to return with the young officer to his
ship, and request M. de la Tour to become a guest at the house of the
chief magistrate, until his question was decided.
CHAPTER II.
Fit me with such weeds As may beseem some well-reputed page.
SHAKSPEARE.
The tardy summer of the north burst forth in all its splendor on the
woods and scattered settlements of Acadia, and even the harassed
garrison at St. John's, revived under its inspiriting influence. La Tour
had been compelled to return to France in the autumn, for a
reinforcement and supplies, leaving the fort defended only by a hireling
force, which could scarcely muster fifty men, fit for active service.
They were a mixture of Scotch and French, Protestants and Catholics;
their personal and religious disputes kept them at continual variance;
and the death of an experienced officer, who had been left in command,
produced a relaxation of discipline, which threatened the most serious
consequences. The protracted absence of La Tour became a subject of
bitter complaint; and, as their stores, of every kind, gradually wasted
away, they began to talk loudly of throwing down their arms, and
abandoning their posts. In this posture of affairs, the courage and
firmness of Madame la Tour alone restrained them from open mutiny.
With an air of authority, which no one presumed to question, she
assumed the supreme command, and established a rigid discipline,
which the boldest dared not transgress. She daily witnessed their
military exercises, assigned to every man his post of duty, and
voluntarily submitted to the many privations which circumstances
imposed on those beneath her.

M. d'Aulney, in the mean time, kept a vigilant eye on the movements of
the garrison. As spring advanced, his light vessels were sent to
reconnoitre as near as safety would permit; and it was evident that he
meditated a decisive attack. Mad. la Tour used the utmost caution to
prevent a surprise, and deceive the enemy respecting the weakness of
their resources. She restricted the usual intercourse between her people,
and those without the fort; and allowed no one to enter unquestioned,
except a French priest, who came, at stated times, to dispense ghostly
counsel to the Catholics.
On one of these occasions, as the holy father issued from a small
building, which served as a chapel for his flock, he encountered the
stiff figure and stern features of a Scotch Presbyterian, whom the lady
of La Tour, a protestant in faith, had received into her family, in the
capacity of chaplain to her household. It was on a Sabbath morning,
and both had been engaged in the offices of religion with their
respective congregations. Each was passing on, in silence, when the
Scot suddenly stopped, directly in the other's path, and surveyed him
with an expression of gloomy distrust. An indignant glow flashed
across the pale features of the priest, but instantly faded away, and he
stood in an attitude of profound humility, as if waiting to learn the
cause of so rude an interruption. In spite of passion and prejudice, the
bigoted sectary felt rebuked by the calm dignity of his countenance and
manner; but he had gone too far to recede, without some explanation,
and therefore sternly said,
"Our lady admits no stranger within these gates, and wo be to the wolf
who climbs into the fold in sheep's clothing!"
"The priest of God," he replied, "is privileged by his holy office to
administer reproof and consolation, wherever there is an ear to listen,
and a heart to feel."
"The priest of Satan," muttered the other, in a low, wrathful tone, "the
emissary of that wicked one, who sitteth on the seven hills, filled with
all abominations."
The priest turned from him with a look of mingled pity and scorn; but

his reverend opponent caught his arm, and again strictly surveying him,
exclaimed,
"It is not thou, whom