Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-25

On the seventh night the Indians attacked
the northwest bastion and Were climbing
over the palisade when Lovolotte gave the
alarm. 1t was hot work. Three times we
beat them back, three times the grinning
face of Killeur Rouge looked over the pail
sade The dull thud of falling bullets sent
a shudder through my heart. Would IT
never end?
A sound came from the river, the dip, dip
as of oars. We listened like dogs. The
Indians heard 1t and melted away. Below
in the water 1 could see half dozen canoes
filled with shadows
who are your" I called, and In spite OF
myself my voice would tremble.
I'VE are Frenchmen. 1t Is La Monnerie
who comes to your help"
A loud hurrah greeted the announcement.
I ordered the gate opened and drew my
troops up before 1t, old Beaucire, Lavolotte.
Alexander and Louis. and beside them was a
small slim girl, in a tattered skirt of blue
velvet, who stepped forward with mill
tary salute and said:
Monsieur 1 surrender my arms to you.
He was astonished. Keep them, my lit
tie captain" he said. "They are in good
hands"
l blushed with pleasure He inspected the
fort and found 1t In good order and SEN
try on every bastion.
1T is time to relieve them monsieur"
said politely. I'VE have not been of OF
our bastions for week"
"Oh, mademoiseller' he cried, you are a
brave girl. The women of Canada shame
the men. You have saved your country
The savages have gone back to their viii
lagos Had you let this fort fall into their
hands Canada would have been In ashes.
I envy your father his daughter
And the governor said the same when In
response to his command my father took
me to the chateau. My heart beat fast as
my father led me into the great salon filled
with grand danes and gentlemen. l felt
ashamed and tried to hide behind my father.
but he led me forward until We stood before
tall, majestic man in a scarlet coat faced
with gold The hawk-like features peered
from under his grizzled hair with an express
sion I shall never forget l thought i
should have died when he lifted me to the
dais beside him and said:
And this Is the savior of Canada"
Then the ladies all waved their lace hand
kerchiefs and the gentlemen cried "Vive, "
and l was so shame-faced l turned and hid
my flushed face against his coat. He did
not speak for moment, and then he said,
oh, so softly:
Child. you do not know what you have
done. There Is not a family in Canada but
Is saying, God bless Madelon Vercheres.
, You shame us all when mere girl can be
so brave"
1T was nothing" I stammered, rudely
interrupting him. Oh. dear, l shall never
be well-bred demoiselle, but could not
| bear to hear him make so much of such a
little thing, and before father. There was
nothing else to do
Nothing else to do" he repeated. with
a queer little smile. You hear. mesdames
and messieurs This child with two old
men and two boys held fort against fifty
Iroquois for a week, just because there was
nothing else to do. The world will hear OF
you, little Madelon, and see, want you to
wear this to remember that Count Fronte.
nae said you were the bravest one he ever
knew"
He held out a gold chain with great
locket set with brilliants. / gasped with
Joy and wonder. / had never seen anything
so beautiful, and to have 1t for my own!
looked at father. He nodded, and bend
| ing over the hand that held mine, touched
| it with my lips and said: .
II will gladly take 1t, your excellency, to
remind me of the noblest man ever saw"
Then everybody laughed and clapped and
| the governor himself smiled and said: THE
child is a courtier as well as soldier"
/ almost forgot to say that maman did
not scold me for losing her fan. When
told her she only Rugged me closer and
kissed me, murmuring: My precious Made-
lon My brave little daughter"
And after that did not care SO much
about the fan or my blue velvet dress, al
| though it was quite spoiled. Bonnie Jeanne
| says it can never be made fit to be seen.