The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-06
BOOK III.
The Honour of De Virtre.
CHAPTER XII.
The Sailor and the Mob.

The Sailor and the Mob.
=. Lieutenant Denis de Wire had been in
peril of his life many times during his
short but exciting career, but he had
never come so near death as within the
past few months Indeed, His Grim Ma
jesty, the King of Terrors, had stared the
young officer full in the face and his
cold hand had been fairly clasped around
his throat. 1t would have. gone hard
with him but for the timely Interference
of a friend. ...,{ @~$ g
De Wire was a hardy, bold young man.
who loved fighting as he loved sunlight,
on account, perhaps, Of the Irish touch
in his nature from a far off strain of the
Emerald isle on the distaff side. One Of
the higher Canadian noblesse, whose fam
lily was of first Importance in New France,
owning wide possessions and high favor
in the governors court, he had received
a commission in the navy Of France.
While in command of the boats Of a
scouting expedition in the lower st. Law
renee he had been captured by Admiral
Durells squadron. -
When the fleet Of Vice-Admiral Saun-
ders entered the river and started upon
that toisome and dangerous ascent to
Quebec the vice-admiral had required his
captives,- Of whom de Wire was chief to
pilot the great ships up the uncertain
river The young officer. for one, had
peremptorily refused to do this, and neither
threat nor appeal nad 1nOuceu MIN 10 re-
cede from his position.
The process OF intimidation had indeed
been carried so far as to cause Monsieur
de .Vitre to- be mounted upon the rail of
a ship with a. rope around his neck, the
other end" Of which was rove through a,
block at the top-san yard-arrn. Had it
not been. for the friend mentioned he
would have been hanged for his con-
tumacy, and to electromagnetic encourage
the other pilots, men of less rank and
station, who showed a disposition to emu
late his refusal.
From this difficult-and;,-f for a man, of
birth and station, DISQUALIFICATION the
F'renchman had been rescued by the in
tercessions of the young captain Of the
ship a brave man, who loved courage and
resolution even in his enemies. AS his
intercession was seconded by the influence
of General Wolfe, to whose request Ad-
miral Saunders graciously deferred, it was
efficacious in releasing Monsieur de Vitre
from his appalling and unpleasant predic-
a ment. + ~, 81. d -, - 4 -
Other men We're found with less ex-
allied views Of their duty to their coun-
try who could be persuaded by the means
which failed so signally in the case Of de
Wire, and the ships We're accordingly
piIoted safely up the river: Meanwhile,
his quality having been demonstrated by
his heroisrn. de Wire was held
close prisoner in the fleet. He had re-
fused to give his parole, and accordingly
had been closely confined, and was care
fully guarded. b
A winning tongue. a little money, and
specious promises of ultimate reward had
made a friend for him among his guards,
and the suborned soldier had at last found
means to supply him with a British uni
form. In the hurry and confusion Of the
debarkation of the soldiery for the at
tempt on the Plains of Abraham, de Wire
had succeeded in joining himself to one Of
the landing parties without attracting at
.tenton. The captain of the Sutherland,
on: which he had been held prisoner, was
surprised the next morning to find the
sentry bound and gaggedAby his own coll
fusion, OF course, though that was un-
known-in de Wires room and his pris-
oT1er gone
However, there was so much business
of moment on hand the day Of the battle
that no search was made for him: indeed,
none could be made, and the certain fall
of Quebec, which everybody realized must
take place when the news of the victory
was brought to the fleet, rendered his pur-.
suit useless. It was too late for even a
man Of his courage to, effect anything of
Importance then. His knowledge Of Brit
ish affairs would be of no service now.
In the natural course OF events too, de
Wire would fall into the hands of the
English again in a few days. Meanwhile,