Charley.

"He staid at home," said Grandfather, "and was general of the militia. The
veteran regiments of the English army, which were now sent across the
Atlantic, would have scorned to fight under the orders of an old American
merchant. And now began what aged people call the Old French War. It would
be going too far astray from the history of our chair, to tell you one
half of the battles that were fought. I cannot even allow myself to
describe the bloody defeat of General Braddock, near the sources of the
Ohio River, in 1755. But, I must not omit to mention, that when the
English general was mortally wounded, and his army routed, the remains of
it were preserved by the skill and valor of GEORGE WASHINGTON."

At the mention of this illustrious name, the children started, as if a
sudden sunlight had gleamed upon the history of their country, now that
the great Deliverer had arisen above the horizon.

Among all the events of the Old French War, Grandfather thought that there
was none more interesting than the removal of the inhabitants of Acadia.
From the first settlement of this ancient province of the French, in 1604,
until the present time, its people could scarcely ever know what kingdom
held dominion over them. They were a peaceful race, taking no delight in
warfare, and caring nothing for military renown. And yet, in every war,
their region was infested with iron-hearted soldiers, both French and
English, who fought one another for the privilege of ill treating these
poor harmless Acadians. Sometimes the treaty of peace made them subjects
of one king, sometimes of another.

At the peace of 1748, Acadia had been ceded to England. But the French
still claimed a large portion of it, and built forts for its defence. In
1755, these forts were taken, and the whole of Acadia was conquered, by
three thousand men from Massachusetts, under the command of General
Winslow. The inhabitants were accused of supplying the French with
provisions, and of doing other things that violated their neutrality.

"These accusations were probably true," observed Grandfather; "for the
Acadians were descended from the French, and had the same friendly
feelings towards them, that the people of Massachusetts had for the
English. But their punishment was severe. The English determined to tear
these poor people from their native homes and scatter them abroad."

The Acadians were about seven thousand in number. A considerable part of
them we