Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/191

] thus compelled himself and his fellow savage to retreat. The alarm being given, it was with some difficulty that the invaders contrived to effect their escape from the scene of their barbarous assault.

Dudley having obtained information of the weakness of Canada, prevailed upon Rhode Island and New Hampshire to join in an enterprise against the French. The expedition consisted of a thousand men, and was directed against Port Royal; but they were not able to reduce the fort. Having burned and ravaged in every direction, and having failed in a second attack on the citadel, they were compelled to abandon the enterprise. An earnest petition was made at this time (1708) to Queen Anne, to terminate this "consuming war" of little less than twenty years' duration, by the final conquest of all the French possessions. All the northern States joined in raising and equipping troops, and agents were sent over to urge the cooperation of the English Government. Their application was successful, and two English ships of war, with five hundred marines on board, appeared in the harbor of Boston. With a considerable force raised by the colonists, they proceeded, under the command of Nicholson, to invest Port Royal, which was in no condition to offer a protracted resistance. The French were obliged to capitulate, and the conquered fortress, in honor of the English queen, received the name of Annapolis, which it has ever since retained. With the exception of the inhabitants within a circuit of three miles, all others were exposed to plunder and ill usage at the caprice of the captors; and the proposition was even made to drive them from their homes "unless they would turn Protestants."

Nicholson, who had gone to England, returned again in June, 1711, and brought with him the important information that a large armament was under way for the subjugation of Canada. A few weeks afterwards a fleet of fifteen ships of war, commanded by Sir Hovenden Walker, with forty transports, and five regiments of veterans of Marlborough's troops, arrived at Boston. Delayed rather vexatiously, it was not till the last of July that the expedition, with seven thousand men on board, sailed against Quebec. Nicholson repaired to Albany, to take the command of a large body of troops that were to proceed by land to attack Montreal. When the fleet had advanced ten leagues up the river St. Lawrence, the weather became tempestuous and foggy. A difference of opinion arose concerning the course to be pursued; the English pilots recommending one course, and the colonial another. The admiral, like most English officers, preferred the advice of his own to that of the colonial pilots. Pursuing the course they recommended during the night, eight transports were driven upon the rocks and dashed to pieces. From every quarter cries of distress arose conveying through the darkness, to those who were yet afloat, intelligence of the fate of their comrades, and of their own danger. The shrieks of the drowning pleaded powerfully for