m overpowering the party under the governor. Even
the bravest began to despair of success. The flashes of the guns
lighted up the darkness of the night, and where the fire was the hottest
there the governor and Count de Tourville threw themselves fearlessly,
exposing their own lives to encourage their followers. It was very
evident that they had not only Indians, but civilised Europeans to fight
against. Notwithstanding their bravery, they were quickly driven back;
and, before long, the count saw that his own and the surrounding houses
would be exposed to destruction. At length a shout was heard on one
side. It was recognised as coming from the body of seamen who were
advancing to their support. The governor immediately despatched an
officer to lead them to a position he wished them to occupy; but, before
they had reached it, they found themselves engaged with a strong party
of the enemy who had been sent to intercept them. The fight was now
raging in two quarters, but still the enemy appeared to be gaining
ground.

Constance de Tourville had remained at home unwilling to desert the
house till compelled to do so. Several other ladies, whose houses were
in more exposed situations, had come there for shelter, and stood
listening with anxious hearts to the hot strife going forward within a
short distance. At length some of the party proposed that they should
fly to the fort; though, dreading the governor, they were unwilling, if
it could be avoided, to place themselves in his power. Constance
preferred remaining, her father having promised to send timely notice to
her should the French find themselves compelled to retreat. The sounds
of the battle came nearer and nearer. Several of the ladies declared
that they could remain no longer, and hurried to the door to make their
escape; Constance remained firm.

"I will obey my father," she said; "and when he sends me word that it is
time to fly, I will go."

The other ladies, influenced by her example, hesitated, when a shower of
bullets came whistling above their heads, and shouts and shrieks and
cries of the combatants sounded as if they were close at hand. It was
too evident that such was the case. Constance herself began to await
anxiously for the order from her father to quit the house; when
suddenly, in addition to the other sounds, a chorus of wild warwhoops
burst on their ears. The savage cries were replied to by the shouts and
cheers of the French. T