The Rivals of Acadia | Page 5

my lady's easy charity permits to come in hither,
and lead poor deluded souls astray, with the false doctrines of thy false
religion! Speak, and explain from whence thou comest, and what are
thy designs?"
"Thy wrath is vain and impotent," said the priest, coolly withdrawing
from his grasp; "but the precepts of my master enjoin humility, and I
disdain not to answer thee, though rudely questioned. Father Ambrose
hath been called to a distant province, and, by his passport I come
hither, to feed the flock which he hath left."
Still dissatisfied, the chaplain was about to prosecute his interrogatories,
but the singular rencontre had already collected a crowd around them,
and the Catholics, with the vivacity of their country, and the zeal of
their religion, began loudly to resent the insult offered the holy father.
Voices rose high in altercation; but as the worthy Scot was totally
ignorant of their language, he remained, for some moments, at a loss to
conjecture the cause of this sudden excitement. But the menacing looks
which were directed towards him, accompanied by gestures too plain to
be misunderstood, at length convinced him, that he was personally
interested, and he commenced a hasty retreat, when his progress was
arrested by the iron grasp of a sturdy corporal, from which he found it
impossible to free himself. With a countenance, in which rage and
entreaty were ludicrously blended, he turned towards the priest, whose
earnest expostulations were addressed, in vain, to the exasperated
assailants. The corporal kept his hold tenaciously, questioning him with
a volubility known only to Frenchmen, and, enraged that he was neither
understood nor answered, he concluded each sentence with a shake,
which jarred every sinew in the stout frame of the Scotchman. It is
doubtful to what extremes the affray might have been carried, as the
opposite party began to rally with equal warmth, for the rescue of their
_teacher_; but, at that moment, a quick and repeated note of alarum
sounded in their ears, and announced some pressing danger. Thrown
into consternation by this unexpected summons, the soldiers fled

confusedly, or stood stupified, and uncertain what course to pursue.
Nor was their confusion diminished, when Madame la Tour appeared in
the midst of them, and, with a look, which severely reproved their
negligence, exclaimed,
"Why stand ye here, my gallant men, clamouring with your idle brawls,
when the enemy floats before our very gates? fly to your posts, or stay
and see what a woman's hand can do."
The appeal was decisive; in a moment every man filled his proper
station, and throughout the fort, the breathless pause of suspense
preceded the expected signal of attack or defence. M. d'Aulney had
entered the river with a strong force, and owing to the negligence of the
sentinels, appeared suddenly before the surprised garrison. Emboldened
by meeting no resistance, he drew up his vessels against the fort, and
incautiously approached within reach of the battery. Perceiving his
error too late, he immediately tacked, and gave a signal to bear off,
which was promptly obeyed by the lighter vessels. But before his own,
which was more unwieldly, could escape, Madame la Tour seized the
favourable moment, and, with her own hand, discharged a piece of
artillery, which so materially damaged the vessel, that it was found
difficult to remove her from the incessant fire, which was then opened
upon her. It was, however, effected; but, though repulsed at that time, it
was not probable that D'Aulney would relinquish his designs; and,
apprehensive that he might attempt a landing below the fort, a double
guard was set, and every precaution taken to prevent another surprise.
Madame la Tour, till the last moment of danger, was every where
conspicuous, dispensing her orders with the cool presence of mind,
which would have honored a veteran commander. It was near the close
of day, when she retired from the presence of the garrison, to seek
repose from her arduous duties. In passing an angle of the fort, she was
attracted by the sound of light footsteps; and, as she paused an instant,
a figure bounded from the shadow of the wall, and stood before her,
wrapped in a military cloak, which completely enveloped its person.
"Who are you?" demanded Madame de la Tour.

"I am ashamed to tell you," replied a soft, sweet voice, which the lady
instantly recognized; "but if you can forgive me, I will uncover myself,
for, indeed, I am well nigh suffocated already."
"Foolish child! where have you been, and what is the meaning of all
this?"
"I was coming to seek for you; but I lingered here a few moments, for,
in truth, I have no fancy to approach very near those formidable guns,
unless they are more peaceably disposed than they have