Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-02-09
miscellaneous.
LETTER OF FATHER
MISSIONARY TO THE ApNAKIS.

MISSIONARY TO THE ADNAKS
Nec Account Of these People and Of the Algon-
quins-French and English War in Canada.
CONTINUED.
The next day, at o'clock in the afternoon,
M. de Montcalm arrived with the rest of the
army. 1t was necessary for us to set out on
our way, notwithstanding the deluge of rain
which poured down upon us. We marched al
most all night, until we distinguished the camp
of M. de Levi, by three fires placed in a triangle
on the top of mountain. We halted in one
place to hold general council, after which the
land troops marched towards Fort George only
four leagues distant. 1t was towards noon,
when we re-embarked in our canoes. We rowed
slowly in order to give time for the boats con-
tanning the artillery to follow us. 1t was with
difficulty they could do it. Towards evening
we had but league moro to make. In the
meantime we arrived at a bay, and being unable
10 double the cape, without being discovered by
the enemy, we determined to wait for new Or
ders, and remain there till morning.
We had little engagement during the night,
which was a prelude to the siege. At eleven
O'Clock, two barges from the fort appeared on
the lake. They sailed with confidence and
tranquility with which they were not to return.
One of my neighbors, who was sentinel, cspied
them at a great distance. The news was spread
among all the savages, and the preparations for
their reception were made with admirable
promptness and silence. was summoned in an
instant to go on shore, in the interior of the
woods, for safety. 1t was not misplaced courage
for man in my. circumstances to turn leaf
ear to the advice that was given me in kim lness,
for had reason to doubt the truth of the re-
port. Four hundred boats or canoes, covering
| the waters of Lake St. Sacrament for two days,
formed too considerable train to have escaped
the vigilant and clear eyes of an enemy. On
this account could hardly persuade myself that
two barges would have the tomerity to present
themselves before such a superior force; it was
only necessary to reason upon it, and open one s
eyes. One of my friends, II spectator of the
whole, warned me again, in so serious tone,
that had to give up, and acknowledge myself
out of my place. Hewa right. A boat sufi-
GENTLY large held all the missionaries A tent
had been erected to shelter us from the air du-
ring the nights, which are sufficiently cold at
that time in this climate. This tent, 80 erected,
made sort of shadow in the air which was
easily discovered by the light of the stars.
Curious to inform themselves, the English
men took this direction. To take this course,
and to rush into the arms of death was about
the same thing. They could scarcely have es-
caped if, happily for them, little accident had
not betrayed us too soon, One of the sheep Of
our army commenced bleating, and thus discov.
cred the ambuscade by his cries, which the enc
t my no sooner heard than he turned and ran fol
t the opposite bank, to shelter himself by thu
4 darkness of the woods This maneuvre seen
r what was to be done! Twelve hundred savage
t ran about pursuing them with their howlings
d as frightful by their continuance as by their
/; number. From the two sides they seemed II
3. maintain their dignity not a single shot bein,
Y fired. The assaIlants not having had time t.
y form themselves, feared to kill one another, an,
: wished moreover to make prisoners. The fugi
f tives were more usefully employing their arm
9 to accelerate their fight. They had almos
d reached their goal when the savages, perceiyin
e their prey had escaped, fred upon them. Th
t Englishmen, hard pushed by some of the fol
y ward canoes, were obliged to reply to it.
gloomy silence soon succeeded all this noise.-
i We were waiting for the event when treachei
I ous warrior determined to make a feigne
Is account of the combat, at which he certainl
4 had not been present. He commenced by affirm