nnon.
Unfrosted priming was distributed. Flags were run up on boats and
bastions. Then the word was given to fire and cheer at the top of our
voices.

Ben Gillam was sober enough that morning but in the mood of a ruffian
stale from overnight brawls. Hardly had the rocking echoes of
cannonading died away when the rascal strode boldly forward in front of
us all, up with his musket, took quick aim at the main flagstaff and
fired. The pole splintered off at the top and the French flag fluttered
to the ground.

"There's for you--you Frenchies!" he shouted. "See the old rag tumble!"

'Twas the only time M. Radisson gave vent to wrath.

"Dog!" he ground out, wrenching the gun from Gillam's hands.

"Avast! Avast!" cries Ben. "He who lives in glass-houses needs not to
throw stones! Mind that, ye pirate!"

"Dog!" repeats M. Radisson, "dare to show disrespect to the Most
Christian of Kings!"

"Most Christian of Kings!" flouts Ben. "I'll return to my fort! Then
I'll show you what I'll give the Most Christian of Kings!"

La Chesnaye rushed up with rash threat; but M. de Radisson pushed the
merchant aside and stood very still, looking at Ben.

"Young man," he began, as quietly as if he were wishing Ben the season's
compliments, "I brought you to this fort for the purpose of keeping you
in this fort, and it is for me to say when you may leave this fort!"

Ben rumbled out a string of oaths, and M. Radisson motioned the soldiers
to encircle him. Then all Ben's pot-valiant bravery ebbed.

"Am I a prisoner?" he demanded savagely.

"Prisoner or guest, according to your conduct," answered Radisson
lightly. Then to the men--"Form line-march!"

At the word we filed into the guard-room, where the soldiers relieved
Gillam of pistol and sword.

"Am I to be shot? Am I to be shot?" cried Gillam, white with terror at
M. Radisson's order to load muskets. "Am I to be shot?" he whimpered.

"Not unless you do it yourself, and 'twould be the most graceful act of
your life, Ben! And now," said M. Radisson, dismissing all the men but
one sentinel for the door, "and now, Ben, a Merry Christmas to you, and
may it be your last in Hudson Bay!"

With that he left Ben Gillam prisoner; but he ordered special watch to be
kept on the fort bastions lest Ben's bravado portended attack. The next
morning he asked Ben to breakfast with our staff.

"The compliments of the morning to you. And I trust you rested well!" M.
Radisson cal