t St. John. We say nothing of D'Aulnay's hanging
Klussman, for Klussman deserved it. But we would rather be shot down man
by man than go out by the grace of D'Aulnay."

She answered both squads,--

"Do not argue against surrender, my men. We can look for no help. The
fort must go in a few more days anyhow, and by capitulating we can make
terms. My lord can build other forts, but where will he find other
followers like you? You will march out not by the grace of D'Aulnay but
with the honors of war. Now speak of it no more, and let us make this a
festival."

So they made it a festival. With guards coming and going constantly,
every man took the pleasure of the hall while the walls were kept.

Such a night was never before celebrated in Fort St. John. A heavier
race might have touched the sadness underlying such gayety; or have
fathomed moonlight to that terrible burden of the elm-tree down the
slope. But this French garrison lent themselves heartily to the hour,
enjoying without past or future. Stories were told of the New World and
of France, tales of persecuted Huguenots, legends which their fathers
had handed down to them, and traditions picked up among the Indians.
Edelwald took the dwarf's mandolin and stood up among them singing the
songs they loved, the high and courageous songs, loving songs, and songs
of faith. Lady Dorinda, having shut her curtain for the night, declined
to take any part in this household festivity, though she contributed
some unheard sighs and groans of annoyance during its progress. A
phlegmatic woman, fond of her ease, could hardly keep her tranquillity,
besieged by cannon in the daytime, and by chattering and laughter, the
cracking of nuts and the thump of soldiers' feet half the night.

But Shubenacadie came out of his corner and lifted his wings for battle.
Le Rossignol first soothed him and then betrayed him into shoes of birch
bark which she carried in her pocket for the purpose of making
Shubenacadie dance. Shubenacadie began to dance in a wild untutored trot
most laughable to see. He varied his paddling on the flags by sallies
with bill and wings against the dear mistress who made him a spectacle;
and finally at Marie's word he was relieved, and waddled back to his
corner to eat and doze and mutter swan talk against such orgies in Fort
St. John. The children had long fallen asleep with rapturous fatigue,
when Marie stood up and made her people follow her in a prayer. The
waxlights