CHAPTER III.

@HE Island of St. John is situate, as every reader well

knows, in the southern part of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, crescent shaped, about 130 miles in length, by 35 miles wide, and is separated from the continent by a strait which varies from nine to thirty miles in width. But we must needs return to the date of the expedition from Louisburg, under the com- mand of Lieut.-Colonel Lord Rollo, who arrived at Port-la—Joie on an early day in August, 1758, and anchored opposite its principal fortification, where above the ramparts swayed the lilied banner of France. N0 cheerful salute thundered forth a welcome as the little squadron rode peacefully upon the waters of its noble harbor. As the ships swung to their moorings, the naval flag of England was observed by the citizens waving gracefully in the summers breeze; and its presence caused misgivings, sentiments of doubt and apprehension.

Meanwhile, a large body of troops were disembarked who speedily took possession of Ia-Joie and its fortifications, at the same time informing the Governor, M. de Villejon, of the sur- render of Louisburg to an English army, and that in accor- dance with the articles of capitulation, the Island of St. John was ceded to the Crown of Great Britain, and that the garrison Were to lay down their arms and submit as prisoners of war. The Governor, whose stern countenance assumed a humiliated appearance, could not conceal his astonishment, as no previous messenger had arrived to tell the news, nor had any w1re