FORT LA JOYE AND MICMAC TALES 39 not very grand, but a home is a home, especially in a colonial land. The garrison, pursued by the English, retreated up the until it was rein¬ forced. Then they drove the invaders back to their boats. Shortly afterwards an agreement was arranged by which the Island was to be unmolested for the space of one year, and was to give six hostages as promise of good behaviour. Sometimes the lonely caribou would wander out of the forest and stand staring at the strange-looking enclosure. Sometimes, too, the bear and the moose and the fox would find their way to a lonely shore and cast strange shadows in the bright moonlight. A lonely, happy, peaceful island! Other and more war-like incidents took place here. In 1746, the English governor of sent a boat to Isle St. Jean to obtain stock. On their approach the French drove their cattle into the woods. But when they heard the proposal brought by the French deputies and Captain Rous , they agreed to part with half their cattle. These were paid for, and brought into the town. The Captain then sent his son and a guard of soldiers on shore to work. But as soon as they had landed, the French sent for the Indians. Then when the visitors were making hay for the cattle, they surprised the tent in which the arms lay, killed the sentry, murdered or took prisoner nearly all who had gone ashore—except Captain Rous 's son, who placed his silver buckles in his mouth —a strange time to think of them—and swam to the ship. Twenty-seven soldiers and seven sailors were killed. But Fort la Joye had its moments of grandeur. Celebrations, though not frequent, were joyous