from his pocket and placing it on a
table near by, he peremptorily demanded a positive answer in an hour's
time at the furthest. This action was like the spark in the tinder, and
completely roused the anger and indignation of his hearers, who had
scarcely been able to restrain their excitement during the reading of
the summons, which the Englishman had delivered in an imperious voice,
and which an interpreter had translated word for word to the outraged
audience.

A murmur of repressed resentment ran through the assembly, when one of
the officers, without waiting for his superior to reply, exclaimed
impetuously:--that the messenger ought to be treated as the envoy of a
corsair, or common marauder, since Phipps was in arms against his
legitimate Sovereign. Frontenac, although keenly hurt in his most
vulnerable point,--his pride--by the lack of ceremony displayed in the
conduct of the Englishman, replied in a calm voice, but in impassioned
words, saying loftily:--"You will have no occasion to wait so long for
my answer,--here it is:--I do not recognize King William, but I know
that the Prince of Orange is an usurper, who has violated the most
sacred ties of blood and religion in dethroning the King, his
father-in-law; and I acknowledge no other legitimate Sovereign than
James the Second. Do your best, and I will do mine."

The messenger thereupon demanded that the reply be given him in writing,
which the Governor haughtily refused, saying:--

"I am going to answer your master at the cannon's mouth; he shall be
taught that this is not the manner in which a person of my rank ought to
be summoned."

Charlevoix seems to have very much admired the lordly bearing of
Frontenac on this occasion, which was so trying to his self-control,
but, with an impartiality creditable to a Frenchman, he justly
chronicles his equal admiration for the coolness and presence of mind
with which the Englishman signalized himself in carrying out his
mission, under insults and humiliations scarcely to be looked for from
those who should have known better the respect due to a flag of truce.

The commander of the fleet, finding the place ready for resistance,
concluded that the lateness of the season rendered it unwise to commence
a regular siege against a city whose natural and artificial defences
made it a formidable fortress, and which, when garrisoned by troops of
such temper and mettle, it appeared impossible to reduce. It must also
be consi