The Shadow of Calamity 187

through lack of seed. Throughout this period the ancient inhabitants had hardly been able to provide themselves with the bare necessities of life. At the same time there were between 1400 and 2000 refu- gees entirely dependent upon the King’s stores which seldom could boast two months’ supplies on the most careful rationing. Old and new inhabitants alike were constantly beset by a double fear, the fear of want and the fear of invasion. Yet, in the main, they kept up a brave front and relied upon the King. Though there were complaints of insubordination, only an obedient and dependent people would have submitted to the ordinances which aimed at preserving the cat- tle for the future needs of others, while they pre- served a miserable existence on bread and peas, eked out with occasional doles of salt meat reshipped from Louisburg. As it proved, it would have been better to have killed their cattle, for they were ultimately destroyed or captured by the English when the fall

of Louisburg involved the tragic isle in the same fate.