. All was bustle in the fort. Guns were loaded, pouches filled, and snow-shoes tied on by those who had them and knew how to use them. There were not enough, however, and many were forced to go without them.

When all was ready, Maisonneuve sallied forth at the head of thirty men, leaving the remainder to hold the fort. They crossed the snowy clearing and entered the forest, where all was silent as the grave. They pushed on, wading through the deep snow, with the countless pitfalls hidden beneath it, when suddenly they were greeted with the screeches of eighty Iroquois, who sprang up from their lurking-places, and showered bullets and arrows upon the advancing French.

The emergency called, not for chivalry, but for woodcraft; and Maisonneuve ordered his men to take shelter, like their assailants, behind trees. They stood their ground resolutely for a long time; but the Iroquois pressed them close, three of their number being killed; others were wounded, and their ammunition began to fail. Their only alternatives were destruction or retreat; and to retreat was not easy.

The order was given. Though steady at first, the men soon became confused and over-eager to

escape the galling fire which the Iroquois sent after them. Maisonneuve directed them towards a sledge-track which had been used in dragging timber for building the hospital, and where the snow was firm beneath the foot. He himself remained to the last, encouraging his followers and aiding the wounded to escape.

The French, as they struggled through the snow, faced about from time to time, and fired back to check the pursuit; but no sooner had they reached the sledge-track than they gave way to their terror, and ran in a body to the fort.

Those within, seeing this confused rush of men from the distance, mistook them for the enemy; and an over-zealous soldier touched the match to a cannon which had been pointed to rake the sledge-track. Had not the piece missed fire, from dampness of the priming, he would have done more execution at one shot than the Iroquois in all the fight of that morning.

Maisonneuve was left alone, retreating backwards down the track and holding his pursuers in check, with a pistol in each hand. They might easily have shot him; but, recognizing him as the commander of the French, they were bent on taking him alive. Their chief coveted this honor

for himself, and his followers held aloof to give him the opportunity.

He pressed close upon Maisonneuve, who snapped a pistol at him which missed fire. The Iroquois, who had ducked to avoid the shot, rose erect, and sprang forward to seize him, when Maisonneuve, with his remaining pistol, shot him dead.

Then ensued a curious spectacle, not infrequent in Indian battles. The Iroquois seemed to forget their enemy, in their anxiety to secure and carry off the body of their chief, and the French commander continued his retreat unmolested, till he was safe under the cannon of the fort. From that day, he was a hero in the eyes of his men.

Quebec and Montreal are happy in their founders. Champlain and Maisonneuve are among the names that shine with a fair and honest luster on the infancy of nations.

"Ugh!" exclaimed Belle, as Uncle Jack finished. "I am glad I didn't live in those days."

By this time the steamer had docked, and in a few minutes our party had collected their baggage and were on the way to a hotel.

"Now," said Uncle Jack, as soon as they had left their baggage at the Hotel, "let us go out and

Courtesy of Richelieu & Ontario Lines, Canada

STEAMER SHOOTING THE LACHINE RAPIDS

take a drive around the city before dark. Tomorrow we are to go to St. Anne de Bellevue, and there take a boat coming back to Montreal, shooting the Lachine Rapids on the way."

"Won't that be fun?" cried May, clapping her hands.

"It certainly will," said Ben.

As they were about to drive past a shop in St. James Street, Uncle Jack stopped the drivers, whereupon they all got out and went into the shop, on his invitation, so that each of the children