FORT LA JOYE AND MICMAC TALES 47

“Well, What about the French fort?"

“It never was of much account. I think this must be Fort Amherst. ”

“Part of the Twenty-ninth Foot, now the First Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, was stationed at this fort in the eighteenth century. Here they were surprised and slaughtered by Indians incited by the French. From then on it became the regimental custom for all officers of this regiment to wear swords at mess. Now that duty is confined to the officers of the day. And ever since that time the regiment has been nicknamed ‘The Ever-sworded Twenty- ninth. ”'

“Well, fancy . . ”

“Here’ 5 a moat to begin with. That must be the ‘broad deep ditch. ”’

“Yes, and it must have been kept full of water. There must have been a drawbridge at one end. I have heard, too, that the old French road which led from the shore to the fort can still be seen, as well as evidence of an underground passage. It’s only about three hundred yards after all.”

“In the old fort, on trench and mound . . , Mrs. Smith began, and then stopped for encourage-

ment. “G0 on!”

H

In the old fort, on trench and mound The clover pink and daisies grow

Where grim stockade and cannon frowned Two hundred distant years ago.

Tree branches o’er the moat are met, Wild roses on the rampart blow,

That spreading hawthorn tree was set Two hundred distant years ago!