ht was unusually dark; not a breath of wind rippled the
surface of the mighty estuary; and the ships, which were at anchor close
together off the usual landing-place near the fort, could not move to
any other position, where they might assist in the defence of the
island, three sides of which were thus left unprotected. The enemy
would certainly make their attack where they would not be exposed to the
fire of the ships or that of the fort.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

ATTACKED BY ENEMIES.

Tecumah urged the count and his friends to make all haste. Even now he
feared that there would be barely time for the French to assemble and
prevent the enemy from landing. Once on shore both parties would be on
equal terms, and the most numerous would probably gain the victory. He
had despatched a messenger, however, he said, to his father, to come
with his warriors to the assistance of their friends, as, unfortunately,
they were at a distance from their usual dwelling-place, engaged in
hunting, and might not be able quickly to collect. The count had sent
word to Nigel to warn him and the other officers of the squadron to be
prepared for an attack, and also to entreat as many as could be spared
to come on shore to be in readiness for the defence of the island. The
Protestants had also got under arms, so that they might be able to march
in any direction where their presence might be required.

The governor received the count and his companions in the haughty and
insolent manner he had of late assumed, and at first appeared inclined
to discredit the account Tecumah had brought; but when the young Indian,
with all the eloquence of his race, assured him of the truth of his
statement, and warned him of the danger of delay, he changed his tone.
He was too sagacious an officer not to see in reality that the warning
must not be despised, but, without deigning to thank the count and his
companions for the information they had brought, he desired them to go
back to their friends. They obeyed his orders; while Tecumah, having
fulfilled his mission, hurried away to his canoe, intending to cross to
the mainland for the purpose of urging his tribe to use all speed in
coming to the assistance of the French. The governor, meantime, ordered
the troops to get under arms, and sent off a despatch to the ships,
directing the captains, some to get under weigh and to sail round to the
other side of the island, others to remain ready for an attack near t