France. In fact, on July 10, 1628, Champlain received a
summons from Sir David Kirke, then at Tadoussac, with several ships under
his command, to surrender the fort and station of Quebec. Notwithstanding
his weakness, which would have prevented him from offering any effectual
resistance had Kirke followed up his summons by an attack upon the place,
Champlain responded with dignity and firmness, declaring that he would
defend his post. Kirke, therefore, for the present, deferred his hostile
intentions upon Quebec, and contented himself with adopting measures to
intercept supplies and succor from France.

[5] He died in the course of this season. Champlain, in his
memoirs, mentions him with approbation and respect.

Cut off from communication with France, Champlain exhorted his now
isolated band of priests, colonists, and laborers to follow his own
example of patience and courage. A single small ship, with very scanty
supplies, succeeded in making its passage good through the English
vessels to Quebec, with intelligence that at least ten months must elapse
before adequate succor from France could be expected to reach the harbor.
To cope with the present emergency, and to prevent absolute starvation,
measures were taken to crop all the cleared ground in the neighborhood.
At the same time recourse was had to hunting and fishing for the purpose
of collecting food for the ensuing winter, and Champlain's
brother-in-law, Eustache Boulle, was despatched with a small vessel and
twelve men down to Gaspe, in the hope of falling in with French
fishing-vessels and procuring intelligence and assistance. Some steps
were also taken for obtaining aid from the Abnaquis. These responded
favorably, promising to furnish maintenance sufficient for about
three-fifths of Champlain's people until succor should arrive. The other
Indians, however, the Montagnais and Algonquins, took advantage of the
emergency, and manifested, both in demeanor and hostile acts, their
enmity to the French.

Having contrived to sustain a precarious existence up to the middle of
July, 1629, the French witnessed, instead of the expected fleet from
France, the English, under Louis and Thomas Kirke, brothers of Sir David,
who remained at Tadoussac, making their appearance off Point Levi.
Provisions were very scarce, as well as ammunition and all other means of
defence; and there seemed to be no prospect of immediate succor. He had
with him only sixteen per