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

1747.] THE RETURN. 199estimate.The English, by their own showing, numberedfive hundred, or fivehundred and twenty -five.Of eleven houses attacked, ten were surprised andcarried, with the help of the darkness and storm andthe skilful management of the assailants."No sooner was the capitulation signed," saysBeaujeu, "than we became in appearance the bestof friends." La Corne directed military honors to berendered to the remains of the brothers Noble; andin all points the Canadians, both officers and men,treated the English with kindness and courtesy."The English commandant," again says Beaujeu,"invited us all to dine with him and his officers, sothat we might have the pleasure ofmaking acquaintanceover a bowl of punch. "The repast being servedafter such a fashion as circumstances permitted,victors and vanquished sat down together; when,says Beaujeu, " we received on the part of our hostsmany compliments on our polite manners and ourskill in making war." And the compliments werewell deserved.At eight o'clock on the morning of the fourteenthof February the English filed out of the stone house,and with arms shouldered, drums beating, and colorsflpng, marched between two ranks of the French,and took the road for Annapolis. The English sickand wounded were sent to the settlement ofRiviereaux-Canards,where, protected by a French guardand attended by an English sui'geon, they were toremain till able to reach the British fort.