With Force and Arms

dly hurt, and all were in low spirits from the failure of our expedition. A new danger threatened us now. The sloop I was in had rece

ld founder, and it was with anxious eyes that I watched the weather all that afternoon. But when the sun went down beneath the

n the

take w

un at

or's de

il, and, when it was bound with ropes, it somewhat stopped the g

to take note, for our defeat was bitter upon us. On the tenth

mall garrison there. The commander signaled to us as we sailed by, and I or

id, in the event of success or failure, he had sent the message there to intercept me. And the import of it was that I was to take command of the fort, ho

f a soldier's duty to complain, so I briefly told my men of the Go

hose who volunteered were to stay. So I mustered them in line, and gave the word for those who wished to fight no more to step aside. I was not a

low on the horizon we turned to getting the fort in shape to withstand an attack. The work was less laborious than that we had

ppeared to stop to gather strength. His actions were so strange that I sent one of my men out to see who the stranger was. The two met, and my man, lin

our old comrade, George Burroughs,

d Burroughs, faintl

left him with some of his townsmen, while I went to see that the sentinels were properly posted. Ere I had finished my rounds I w

filled with the painted and bedecked imps of Satan, led on by the French, as cruel as t

s?" I asked, thinking that th

had only been stunned by a spent ball. How he had escaped the death meted out to the other wou

French to march against Pemaquid and surprise the garrison. Then I resolved to make my escape, and carry you a warning. Many days I

nt, and we had to give so

day's journey back I fell over a cliff in the darkness, and cut my leg so badly on the sharp rocks that I feared I could not go on. I well nigh gave up in despair, but I managed to rig up a crutch made from the limb of a tree, and pressed forward, hoping to be in time.

we brought him back to his senses, though he was so weak that I knew he could not last long. Then I left him, bidding the men to see to his needs. Away fr

at it must be a considerable force that could successfully attack the fort, and, although our position was not of the best from a soldier's standpoint, it would not do for us to give up without a fierce fight. And a fierce battle it was likely to be

varied noises of the beasts and birds therein. I looked up to the stars and whispered the name of Lucille. When would I see her again. Perchance never if the French and Indians overwhelmed us. Then I was likely with my comrades to find a grave in these same woods, and

ight. He had not been in his senses, and ever murmured of the terri

enchers and the Indians. Now

ast. I reflected that bridges need not to be crossed until they lie before one, also that to borrow trouble

a supply of powder and balls at hand, I began drilling the men. They practiced at gunnery, for we had plenty of powder, and it was as well to let any sulking Indian scout know that we were prepared. One of the last thing I

ad seen the fires of the Indians, who evidently were using but little of their usual cautiousness. It was some relie

few shots fired aimlessly, and then followed the war cry. It rose and fell on the night air, echoing from the hill, and resounding throughout the silent woods. We might expect t

sleep for any o

ld set the Indians at us. So we sat in the darkness and wat

reak, which gradually grew larger and larger. The dawn was come. With it came the frightful yells of the savages, and the crack of their muskets and rifles. They began the attack on all but the side of the fort toward the sea, but most of their bullets found marks only in the solid logs of the palisades.

not been idle. The cannon were of little use, so scattered was the foe, but once a knot of them gathered at the left of the fort, about one of their number who had been hit. It was a chance that one of our gunners did not miss, and a charge of small shot from the cannon was sent hissing into their midst.

Hasten, Captain; there

o sloops; and the decks were crowded with armed men. I could see, also, that on board

splinters knocked from the bow was all the damage we did to one. But the other fared less well, for one of our shots slivered the main mast near the deck. A cheer went up from our company. In reply the sloops fired two broadsides, and badly smashe

hat be set on fire and explode. The battle now began in earnest. The Indians seeing that the French had arrived, renewed their attack, so that we were

event the Indians from swarming over the palisades. They sent several blazing arrows on top of the fort, but the logs were green and wou

y little garrison. I dared not make a sally, for my force was too small, and yet we were little in shape to withstand a siege. As the darkness grew deeper, the ra

several killed. Help might come from Boston, but it would scarce reach us in time now. I turned

flag, C

t. He had a stick, to which a white rag was tied. Approaching without the least si

uce, the Indian carried a letter. I

not hope to hold out, Castine wrote; and, after a resistance, he feared the Indians could

o fragments, and scat

nger. "Tell your leader that I r

, and he went out into the

e fort, hastened to me with the news that there was considerable activity among our foes, a

rfully as I 108could to the men who were ne

heer would be my answer. Instead, there

cornfully. "Are you going to giv

is the use to fight all of France, and the Indians, too? We are but ninety men n

ersary, Sir George, into the Governor's room, in Boston, the day I had received my commission. I recalled, also, that Simon had ever seemed to be near me; when we voyaged in the sloops, and when we stormed the fort at St. Joh

ds," I cried, but

as the wish of the garrison to surrender, and, with almost o

ul as it was, I resolved to give up the fort. I had none to defend it, and we might be treated as prisoners of war, to be exchanged, in due season. There was nothing els

onging eyes on the bit of steel that had served me so well.

he had held the weapon in his hand a moment,

pretty

has found sheath in many an Eng

ected nothing less than he would lunge at me. But he seemed t

ce it ma

anded me ba

rranged that I was to march out at the head of my men, and we went on board the French vessels, as

cident, and, one day in July, I walked ashore at Boston town, with my command. Sending word to Governor Phips that I

snow was drifted deep over the path. Much had happened since then. I had fought and loved

er in my heart I sang but one song, and t