n much
displeased with the new company of Canada, I have entertained a
suspicion that he connived with the English. I have not a sure
knowledge of it, but you will please me if you inform me of his
conduct."

This suspicion seems unfounded, because Guillaume de Caen was personally
interested in the fate of Quebec. His merchandise which was seized by
Kirke was valued at about forty thousand ecus. If he had made some
agreement with Kirke he would have had no difficulty in recovering his
goods after the capitulation, but such was not the case.

As to Emery de Caen we must say that he took an active part in the
defence of the colony, and perhaps he might have saved Quebec, had not
one of his sailors committed a grave imprudence at a critical juncture.
The facts are as follows: The Treaty of Suze, which was signed on April
24th, 1629, had established peace between France and England. Being
aware of this fact Emery de Caen equipped a vessel for the purpose of
bringing back to France all the furs and merchandise which were the
property of his uncle. When he arrived near the Escoumins a dense fog
obscured the coast, and his vessel ran aground on Red Island, opposite
Tadousac. Having succeeded in floating his ship, de Caen went to Chafaud
aux Basques, two leagues above Tadousac. Here he was informed that the
Kirke brothers were at Tadousac, and he at once made for Mal Bay, where
he was informed that Champlain had capitulated. This news lacked
confirmation, and so he sent two emissaries to Quebec, who instead of
proceeding directly there, amused themselves on the shore of the river
at Cape Tourmente. They finally arrived at their destination, and were
badly received by Guillaume Couillard.

In the meantime Thomas Kirke was sailing down from Quebec to Tadousac,
after the capitulation of the stronghold, and meeting de Caen's vessel
approached within cannon shot. A fight began, and soon both vessels were
stopped by Kirke's order. Previous to this, Champlain and all the French
who were on board had been sent below deck, the covers of which had been
fastened with large nails, so that they were unable to render any
assistance to Emery de Caen, even if they had desired to. The battle
continued under some difficulties, and the vessels were grappled only by
their foremasts. Kirke's position was becoming untenable, but by a
singular blunder instead of being defeated he was allowed to become the
master. One of Emery de Caen's sailors hav