The treasure-
chests of the English will make up for the beggarly packs of the New
Englanders. Dried stock fish, and eel-skin garters to drive away
the rheumatism, were the usual prizes we got from them down in
Acadia!"
"The English of Fontenoy are not such despicable foes," remarked the
Chevalier de Lery; "they sufficed to take Louisbourg, and if we
discontinue our walls, will suffice to take Quebec."
"Louisbourg was not taken by THEM, but fell through the mutiny of
the base Swiss!" replied Bigot, touched sharply by any allusion to
that fortress where he had figured so discreditably. "The vile
hirelings demanded money of their commander when they should have
drawn the blood of the enemy!" added he, angrily.
"Satan is bold, but he would blush in the presence of Bigot,"
remarked La Corne St. Luc to an Acadian officer seated next him.
"Bigot kept the King's treasure, and defrauded the soldiers of their
pay: hence the mutiny and the fall of Louisbourg."
"It is what the whole army knows," replied the officer. "But hark!
the Abbe Piquet is going to speak.
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