"'Many hands make light
work,' says the proverb. That splendid battery you are just
finishing deserves to be called Beauport. What say you, my Lord
Bishop?" turning to the smiling ecclesiastic. "Is it not worthy of
baptism?"
"Yes, and blessing both; I give it my episcopal benediction,"
replied the Bishop, "and truly I think most of the earth of it is
taken from the consecrated ground of the Hotel Dieu--it will stand
fire!"
"Many thanks, my Lord!"--the Sieur de St. Denis bowed very low--
"where the Church bars the door Satan will never enter, nor the
English either! Do you hear, men?" continued he, turning to his
censitaires, "my Lord Bishop christens our battery Beauport, and
says it will stand fire!"
"Vive le Roi!" was the response, an exclamation that came
spontaneously to the lips of all Frenchmen on every emergency of
danger or emotion of joy.
A sturdy habitan came forward, and doffing his red tuque or cap,
addressed the Governor: "This is a good battery, my Lord Governor,
but there ought to be one as good in our village.
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