The Minneapolis journal., 1902-12-13

1--WE are lost!" cried one after another.
There was no doubt either of their
unanimity or their determination.
you cowards!'' exclaimed the governor,
bitterly, turning upon them with wither-
ing glance of contempt. His calmness
gone, he stamped his foot in passionate
Scorn and anger.
It was de Vitre- who broke the silence
which followed this insulting charge. He
sprang from the side of the governor in
fierce passion. seized the big militiaman
by the shoulder, twice struck him violent
ly with the fiat of his sword, and then
with furious shove sent him reeling back
among his astonished and indignant COM
panions.
A fierce roar Of rage was blasted up
| from the excited militiamen. They
! surged toward de Vitre, who faced them
| undaunted, his blade out now. Swords
| and espontons were lifted in the air, pis-
| tolls handled, fists shaken, and curses and
| yells filled the room.
':BackY' cried the governor, sternly.
| st am astonished at you, Monsieur de
| Vitre-tllis brawling can not be tolerated
| under the circumstances! A divided
/ house we are and indeed defenseless. And
you, messieurs, he continued turning to
/ the volunteers, "you seem to have spirit
1 enough to fight among yourselves. Gen.
! tlemen. It is not possible that you are all
/ agreed with the mayor who has just
| spoken?"
4 The restraint was OFF the mob now. the
Ice was broken. They crowded about the
j old general with oaths and protestations,
1 demanding that he surrender the town.
4 Presently the merchants and business men
/ joined in. Words were passed back and
forth, and the whole assemblage broke out
in the most violent disorder. The room
was filed with Glamour.
i In the midst Of the confusion, which
well Indicated the disorganization in the
town, an officer burst into the hall and
shouldered his way through the struggling
:. mob toward the governor. The crowd
became silent as they recognized his
! presence and instinctively felt that he had
news of Importance. His face was grave
with anxiety.
Monsieur, he cried, ''the English
are about to storm the st. Charles Gate!
Monsieur lie Gardeur, who commands
D troops have thrown down their arms and
have refused to fight! He has no force to
stay the advance. For Gods sake. send
7 reinforcements, or we are lost!'
,.t Even as he spoke another officer came
j running into the room from the walls on
q the other side.
Monsieur lie Gouverneur," he cried. as
= he entered the apartment, "the colonial
troops have Withdrawn from the
!, walls! Captain LIE Moyne says that
the English battalions are mastering for
an immediate attack. He has not enough
:, regulars to man the guns! He must have
lreinforcements Immediately, and the men
!, are hungry
: rs there an ounce Of bread left" !"
, asked the governor. turning to the quar-
!. termaster, ITO feed the soldiers who are
faithful and these cattle?
Nothing, SIR answered that funtion-
!. 4 ary sadly the last ration was issued last
/ night.
s.You see, SIR" cried the merchant, TO
what straits we are reduced! MY chhdren
cry for bread
my wife suffers with hunger; we are
Ilined!'' a
third.
.tGentlemen,'' said the unfortunate
s cheyalier, turning to the militia, .you have
II some influence with your men surely!
Return to them, beg them to fight one
Il more day! Monsieur de Lewis will surelx