fortifications were more extensive, yet
in a miserable condition. At this last place there were a few
companies of soldiers, and here the governor tried to perform the
difficult task of transforming the French Acadians to loyal British
subjects.

But the French at Louisbourg never forgot their fellow-countrymen,
and never relinquished their designs on Acadie. The French
inhabitants of that province amounted to several thousands, who
occupied the best portions of the country, while the English
consisted of only a few individuals in one or two posts. Among the
French Acadians emissaries were constantly moving about, who sought
to keep up among them their old loyalty to the French crown, and by
their pertinacity sorely disturbed the peace of the English governor
at Annapolis Royal. The French governor at Louisbourg was not slow to
second these efforts by keeping the Acadians supplied with arms and
ammunition; and it was for this purpose that the Aigle had been sent
to the settlements up the Bay of Fundy.

Up the bays he now sailed, in accordance with the wish of Cazeneau.
His reason for this course was, that he might see the people for
himself, and judge how far they might be relied on in the event of
war, which he knew must soon be declared. It was his intention to
land at Grand Pre, the chief Acadian settlement, and thence proceed
by land to Louisbourg. He had understood from Captain Ducrot that an
Indian trail went all the way through the woods, which could be
traversed on horseback. Such a course would impose more hardship upon
the aged Laborde and Mimi than would be encountered on shipboard; but
Cazeneau had his own purposes, which were favored, to a great extent,
by the land route. Besides, he had the schooner with him, so that if,
after all, it should be advisable to go by water, they could make the
journey in her.

The Aigle sailed, and the schooner followed. The wind had changed,
and now blew more steadily, and from a favorable quarter. The
currents delayed them somewhat; but on the third morning after the
two vessels had met, they reached the entrance of the Basin of Minas.

The scenery here was wild and grand. A few miles from the shore there
rose a lofty rocky island, precipitous on all sides save one, its
summit crested with trees, its base worn by the restless waves.
Opposite this was a rocky shore, with cliffs crowned with the
primeval forest. From this pond the strait began, and went on for
miles, til