Defending the Island

t Desert; but Champlain named Mons Deserts, because its thirteen high, rugged mountains could be see

were much attached to the island; for in the mountains they hunted bears, wildcats, raccoons, foxes, and fowls;

ilies defended the island in 1758, it seems much as if the reader would have a better idea of all that was done, if he or she knew just a few facts co

d named it; but not until four years later did any white people visit the place. Then two Jesuit missionaries, who had been living at

ause, in the year 1613, a Frenchman, by the name of La Suassaye, the agent of Madame de Guercheville, a very rich and religiou

the country in the name of his king, found the settlers while they were yet living in tents, not having had time to build houses. He robbed them of al

y formed a settlement, which did not survive the encroachments of the Indians, as is known from the fact that when, in 1704, the great Indian fighter from

ke better homes for themselves and their little ones than could be had in their native land. Then came the quarrels between the French and English, until Acadia was not

ree or four pigs, and a flock of chickens, and started on a voyage that did not come to an end until they were arrived at the isl

, which is a high fence formed by driving stakes into the ground, fo

comparative comfort until the year 1758

fifteen years old; Luke, two years younger; Mary

ounger, and James, who had lived seven years on Mount Desert without having seen te

rtaining fashion, it is time to begin the story of what was done by these

hem from Acadia, to catch fish enough for the winter's supply, and on this year they set off early in September, with

might be absent, and no sooner had the little vessel sailed out of the harbor than they set about t

e dried, and this labor was performed near the shore of the harbor quite beyond sight of the h

ng day could be seen stealing over the waters, and while she was yet close in-shore the two lads set about building the flakes, counting on com

iftly up from the southward, past what is now known as Pulpit Rock, and sail straight

and when half an hour or more had gone by, another cano

the rock, Luke stood erect to drive in one of the stakes, and, therefore, s

en of the Abenakis tribe; but the visitors had always approached boldly, like f

father had said many times, that it was not wise to let the Indians know

e filled with Abenakis has sneaked in behind th

later," Mark replied, continuing his work in such a fash

as if to gain a position where a full view of the buildings might be had, for there could

isper. "There must have been other canoes than the one you saw, for I have already c

eir parents to be fully alive to the possibilities, and after a few moments, during which time fear had he

running away. You start first, and when you go thro

vily that it seemed as if it could be heard a long distance away, and,

his work, and he answered the summons more q

a small garden directly in the rear of the building, therefore the boys were able to impa

n exclaimed, when Mark had hurriedly told his story an

me on the very day our fathe

y times. It must be that the painted wretches have been watching to learn when your father and uncle left the island! Ask your aunt and S

and in a twinkling Mistress Harding and her daughter Susan were where they

might turn pale with apprehension when the first note of danger was sounded, and there two,

the near-by mainland were friendly disposed, there seemed to be no good reason why time and labor should be expended u

Harding suggested, and Mark, who considered himself as well-nig

other children shall drag them out of the woods, coming into t

hing to help the work along

he small boys down near the shore. Stay there as if bent on pleasuring, and, without

e accustomed to doing the work of men, and

le. And there was no disposition on his part to shirk the responsibility. He knew full well that there was no hope the fishermen wo

n Harding were summoned from the garden, and the tw

that it might serve to break the force of the north winds in the winter, the younger girls learned of th

could say when the attack might be made; the only matter certain in the minds of all was that t

et into the ground, therefore large timbers were necessary, and perhaps Mark was the only member of the party who realize

ir purpose suspected, otherwise the defences would not be in process of strengthening when the

be made, and all preparations for resistance conclu

, and Mark knew she was thinking of what might be expected a

showing themselves for some time before gaining the beach

oot as we

st part of it is that you mu

on the shore for

can be there, while the

girl spoke as if demanding a

n shape then, and I'm hoping the Indians will hold off for a darker night. That's about the

uggested, and Mark literally trembled with fear, for thought came to his mind that possibly another bo

assailed him, that was a matter which could not be guarded against, other than as the general defen

an insisted, and the lad, knowing she could be depended

as he struck the finishing blows to the sharpened end of the log. "Drag it inside to the weakest place

since that would be the quickest method of getting it into place, and the boys plied their axe

ring end into the ground," Mark cried, cheerily, as he selected a second tree, a

ause of her heavy breathing. "They have seen only one Indian, who lies behind the b

claimed bitterly. "Now he has come to try and murd

r on the mainlan

h and Indians on the fort at St. George last month, so I suppose England and France are still fighting. I

killed on Arrowsick Island, and the six children carried into

, and we're like to need all we've got between now and sunset. Here's another timber, Sue. B

d by the fishermen, who were spoken from time to time; but Mark bade him keep at his chopp

are decayed so badly that they should be replaced. I walked slowly a

before the afternoon is very old," Mark replied, as he swung

s a wicked waste of time for both to stay on guard, when it would be po

here she is, for while those two are idle the Indians will not suspect that we are strengthening our

soon catch up with you, and the boys would be more bother tha

t her mother was intending to make ready the noonday meal, for it was in the highest degree necessary that those who were labori

t out to them, and, while Mistress Harding cooked fo

face had been seen momentarily from behind one of the rocks on the harbor island; but nothing mo

number of timbers, and now was come the time when the enemy would get

while you overhaul our muskets. See to it that each one is loaded, and where we can get at it readily. After

in place, fearing each instant to hear the word that

place, Mark said, grimly, as he raised

n case they are foolish enough to wait until after da

eing pulled out by the foe, it was necessary for one of the boys to stand on an up-ended cask, and

et, and he strove to keep his eyes fixed upon that p

tion of the enemy, although those in hiding must have k

at the gateway of the palisade, with a weapon leaning against the logs on the

sn't started them. Mother and aunt may come back here and do some more cooking, for once the Abenakis b

shore quickly, stopping at the palisade to see how the lad

in one of the buildings which can be barricaded

e you're making the changes, see to it t

bout th

that there are not more Indians hidden in the woods. If the beast

two families was actively engaged, w

eadily moved, and the rude furniture served admirably as a ba

ing Susan to keep her eyes open very wide, the two boys began making loopholes in the house which was to shelter both families. This last was

to Co