Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-11-04

had stared the young officer full In
the face and his cold hand had been
fairly clasped around his. throat. IL
would have gone hard with him Dut
for the timely interference OF a friend.
De Vitre was a hardy, bold young
man, who loved fighting as he loved
sunlight, on account, perhaps, OF the
Irish touch in his nature from tar-
OF strain of the Emerald Isle on
the distafr side. One Of the higher
Canadian noblesse, whose family was
of first importance in New France
owning wide possessions and high IN
favor in the governors court, he mad
received q commission in the navy OF
France. While In, command OF the
boats of a scouting expedition In the
lower st. Lawrence he had been cap
tured by Admiral Durell's squadron.
When the fleet Of Vice Adm !ral
Saunders entered the river and started
upon that toilsome and dangerous as
cent to Quebec the vice admiral had
required his captives, Of whom de
yitre was chief, to pilot the great ships
up the uncertain river. The young
officer, for one, had peremptorily re-
fused to do this, and neither threat
nor appeal had induced him to recede
from his position.
The process of intimidation had in
deed been carried so far as to cause
Monsieur de Vitre to be mounted upon
the rail of a ship with rope around
his neck, the other end OF which was
rove through block at the top-sall
yard-arm. Had it not been for the
friend mentioned he would have been
hanged for his contumacy, and to dis
courage-or encourage-the other pi-
lots. men of less rank and station, who
showed a disposition to emulate his
refusal.
From this diflcult-and, for man
of birth and station, unpleasant-posi-
ton the Frenchman had been rescued
by the intercessions Of the young cap
tain OF the ship, brave man, who
loved courage and resolution even in
his enemies. AS his intercession was
seconded by the influence of Gen.
Wolfe. to whose request Admiral
Saunders graciously deferred, 1t was
efficacious in releasing Monsieur de
Vitre from his appalling and unpleas-
ant predicament.
Other men were found with less ex-
alted views Of their duty to their coun-
try who could be persuaded by the
means which failed so signally In the
case of de Vitre, and the ships were &C
cordingly piloted up the river. Mean
while, his quality having been demon
strated by his heroism, de Vitre was
held close prisoner in the fleet. He
had refused to give his parole, and &C
cordingly had been closely confined,
and was carefully guarded.
A winning tongue, a little money
and specious promises of ultimate re-
ward had made friend for him
among his guards, and the suborned
soldier had at last found means to
supply him with a British unI-
In the hurry and confusion OF the de-
barkation of the soldiery for the at
tempt on the Plains Of Abraham, dc
Vitre had succeeded in joining himself
to one Of the landing parties without
attracting attention. The captain oi
the Sutherland, on which he had been
held prisoner, was surprised the next
morning to find the sentry bound anc
gagged-by his own collusion, oi
course, though that was unknown-ir
de Wires room and his prisoner gone
However, there was so much busi'
ness of moment on hand the day oi
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. 1t was too late for ever
a man of his courage to effect anything
of importance then. His knowledge
OF British affairs would be of no ser
vice now.
In the natural course of events, too
de Vitre would fall into the hands o.
the English again in few days
Meanwhile, as he was pleasant fellow
agreeable and debonair, his captor'
were rather glad that he had the privi