The Forest of Maine.--A Treacherous Peace.--A Frontier Village.--Wells and its People.--Attack upon it.--Border Ravages.--Beaubassin's War-party.--The "Woful Decade."--A Wedding Feast.--A Captive Bridegroom 34 CHAPTER IV. 1704-1740. DEERFIELD. Hertel de Rouville.--A Frontier Village.--Rev. John Williams.--The Surprise.--Defence of the Stebbins House.--Attempted Rescue.--The Meadow Fight.--The Captives.--The Northward March.--Mrs. Williams killed.--The Minister's Journey.--Kindness of Canadians.--A Stubborn Heretic.--Eunice Williams.--Converted Captives.--John Sheldon's Mission.--Exchange of Prisoners.--An English Squaw.--The Gill Family 55 CHAPTER V. 1704-1713. THE TORMENTED FRONTIER. Border Raids.--Haverhill.--Attack and Defence.--War to the Knife.--Motives of the French.--Proposed Neutrality.--Joseph Dudley.--Town and Country 94 CHAPTER VI. 1700-1710. THE OLD REGIME IN ACADIA. The Fishery Question.--Privateers and Pirates.--Port Royal.--Official Gossip.--Abuse of Brouillan.--Complaints of De Goutin.--Subercase and his Officers.--Church and State.--Paternal Government 110 CHAPTER VII. 1704-1710. ACADIA CHANGES HANDS. Reprisal for Deerfield.--Major Benjamin Church: his Ravages at Grand-Pre.--Port Royal Expedition.--Futile Proceedings.--A Discreditable Affair.--French Successes in Newfoundland.--Schemes of Samuel Vetch.--A Grand Enterprise.--Nicholson's Advance.--An Infected Camp.--Ministerial Promises broken.--A New Scheme.--Port Royal attacked.--Acadia conquered 120 CHAPTER VIII. 1710, 1711. WALKER'S EXPEDITION. Scheme of La Ronde Denys.--Boston warned against British Designs.--Boston to be ruined.--Plans of the Ministry.--Canada doomed.--British Troops at Boston.--The Colonists denounced.--The Fleet sails for Quebec.--Forebodings of the Admiral.--Storm and Wreck.--Timid Commanders.--Retreat.--Joyful News for Canada.--Pious Exultation.--Fanciful Stories.--Walker disgraced 156 CHAPTER IX. 1712-1749. LOUISBOURG AND ACADIA. Peace of Utrecht.--Perilous Questions.--Louisbourg founded.--Annapolis attacked.--Position of the Acadians.--Weakness of the British Garrison.--Apathy of the Ministry.--French Intrigue.--Clerical Politicians.--The Oath of Allegiance.--Acadians refuse it: their Expulsion proposed; they take the Oath 183 CHAPTER X. 1713-1724. SEBASTIEN RALE.