Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-11-18
CHAPTER XVII.
FALLS THE FLAG OF FRANCE.

yate office in the shot-racked
Chateau St Louis. From
the English batteries at
Point Lewis the cannons were continu-
ously firing upon the already ruined
lower town, and even upon the castle
itself. From Townshend's intrench-
mepts on the landward side the heavy
siege guns which had been landed from
the British ships were raining shot
and shell upon the upper town and
the citadel. Piedmont, the French
chief of artillery, was making what
reply he could. The feet Of Admiral
Saunders in the basin had been NOV
ing up toward the lower town during
the past week, and as de Ramesay
watched them, large boats full oil
troops were even then being landed
on the meadows and fats at the mouth
of the st. Charles river and were being
drawn up in columns under cover ot
the ships batteries, as If preparing
to approach and storm the gate
nearest the bridge.
De Ramesay had just come in from
a tour of the walls. 1t was hopeless
outlook indeed before the governor.
He had done his best, but the end
was approaching. Sad indeed Is the
moment when we realize that our best
Is unayailing. The rations OF all had
been reduced and reduced until star
vation stared them in the face. Nc
part of the town was safe now from the
English fire. The very chateau itself
in which he stood was riddled with
shells. There was great gaping hole
in the roof of his cabinet, through
which the rain poured dismally.
The temper Of the garrison had
grown worse and worse. Nothing
whatever had been heard from de
Lewis. De Ramesay felt that II an as
sault were delivered it could not be
met. His garrison originally con-
sisted of $50 troops Of the line, some
400 or 500 colony troops, and the local
militia, but had been much reduced by
death, wounds and starvation, and was
growing less every day. The colonial
soldiers and militia had been desert
Ing in handfuls.
Presently Capt. Rouvigny entered.
Monsieur" he said, saluting, "A
body of merchants, headed by Monsieur
Daine, are here to see you, and
bid them attend me in the great
hall of the chateau, captain" inter-
rupted the governor gloomily. and
summon the officers of my staff. Let
some one go for Monsieur Piedmont,
If he can be spared from the walls.
We need his counsel"
81 omitted to state, monsieur" con-
linued the young officer, that the mer-
chants are accompanied by the officers
of the city militia"
LET them all come together. viii!
see them all. know what 1t means,
said de Ramesay despondently.
A few moments after he entered the
great hall of the bullet-ridden castle.
Many Of the portraits which adorned
1t had been destroyed by the fire Of
the enemy. Grim old Frontenac, the
unconquerable, however, still kept
watch and ward over the territory he
had loved, now fast slipping into the
hands of the hated English. Had ne
been in de Vaudreuil's place. thought
de Ramesay, they might not now ne
in such pass.
Through the broken window-panes
the rain beat and the wind swept in
mournful harmony with the thoughts
of the people who crowded the room.
At the lower end were congregated a
body of the most influential citizens
o. the town. Their plain but rich
dress, comfortable cloaks, prosperous
appearance, proclaimed that they were
men of substance and condition. A lit
tie apart from them stood the officers
of the colonial militia in bedraggled,
weather-stained uniforms.
The merchants faced de Ramesay
boldly. The eyes of the citizen SOL
diery sank to the ground, and they
looked everywhere but at him. They
shifted uneasily under the stern gaze
of the veteran commander, while their
hands played nervously with their
sword-hilts. De Ramesay was attended
by the officers of his staff, able SOL
diers all; some Of them were drenched
with rain and covered with marks Of
their exposure to the inclem ent
weather, which showed they had just
come from the ramparts. Amons
them were Rouvigny, St. Luc, Fled
mont, and Joannes the town major
and with them de Vitre, still under re-
straint by de Ramesay's order.
The governor stood al the grea
table with his officers grouped arount
him. The merchants and militia Off
GERS drifted together at the opposite
side. A stranger would have instantl!
recognized that here were two parties
to debate a serious proposition. Sad
ness was the predominating note In d.
Ramesay's face; naughty pride ant
contempt flashed from the eyes OF tn
mobiles and professional soldiers al hi
back; dogged determination was evi
denced in every line in the portly fig
ures Of the merchants; and stubborn
shame spoke from the drooped head
of the militia officers.
"Messieurs." said the governo
quietly, you have asked an audienc
for a purpose which can but too wei
divine. Will you speak your mind an
have done with it? The gentlemen o
the counter first"
He turned inquiringly to the mer
chants. but no, one apparently care