A half-century of conflict. France and England in North America. Part ...

92 LOUISBOURG BESIEGED. [1745.in the day of thy power," concerning which occasionthe soldier diarist observes, — " Several sorts ofBiisnesses was Going on, Som a Exercising, Soma Hearing Preaching." The attention of ParsonMoody's listeners was, in fact, distracted by shoutsof command and the awkward drill of squads ofhomespun soldierson the adjacent pasture.Captain Ammi Cutter, with two companies, wasordered to remain at Canseau and defend it fromfarther vicissitudes ;to which end a blockhouse wasalso built, and mounted with eight small cannon.Some of the armed vessels had been set to cruiseLouisbourg, which they did to good purpose, andpresently brought in six French prizes,offwith suppliesfor the fortress. On the other hand, they broughtthe ominous news that Louisbourg and the adjoiningbay were so blocked with ice that landing wasimpossible.This was a serious misfortune, involvinglong delay, and perhaps ruin to the expedition, asthe expected ships-of-war might arrive meanwhilefrom France. Indeed, they had already begun toappear. On Thursday, the eighteenth, heavy cannonadingwas heard far out at sea, and again onFriday "the cannon," says Pomeroy, "fired at agreat rate till about 2 of the clock." It was theprovincial cruisers attacking a French frigate, the"Renomm^e," of thirty-six guns. As their unitedforce was too much for her, she kept up a runningfight, outsailed them, and escaped after a chase ofmore than thirty hours, being, as Pomeroy quaintly