Curious as we may be to know something of the personal history of Robert Sallette, it is not to be found chronicled in the books. The French twist to his name makes it probable that he was a descendant of those unfortunate Acadians who, years before, had been stripped of their lands and possessions in Nova Scotia by the British, their houses and barns burned, and they themselves transported away from their homes. They were scattered at various points along the American coast. Some were landed at Philadelphia, and some were carried to Louisiana. Four hundred were sent to Georgia. The British had many acts of cruelty to answer for in those days, but none more infamous than this treatment of the gentle and helpless Acadians. It stands in history to-day a stain upon the British name. Another fact that leads to the belief that Robert Sallette was a descendant of the unfortunate Acadians was the ferocity with which he pursued the British and the Tories. The little that is told about him makes it certain that he never gave quarter to the enemies of his country. His name was a terror to the Tories. One of them, a man of considerable means, offered a reward of one hundred guineas to any person who would bring him the head of Robert Sallette. The Tory had never seen Sallette, but his alarm was such that he offered a reward large enough to tempt some one to assassinate the daring partisan. When Sallette heard of the reward, he disguised himself as a farmer, and provided himself with a pumpkin, which he placed in a bag. With the bag swinging across his shoulder, he made his way to the house of the Tory. He was invited in, and deposited the bag on the floor beside him, the pumpkin striking the boards with a thump. [Illustration: The head of Robert Sallette 066] "I have brought you the head of Robert Sallette," said he. "I hear that you have offered a reward of one hundred guineas for it." "Where is it?" asked the Tory. "I have it with me," replied Sallette, shaking the loose end of the bag. "Count me out the money and take the head." The Tory, neither doubting nor suspecting, counted out the money, and placed it on the table. "Now show me the head," said he. Sallette removed his hat, tapped himself on the forehead, and said, "Here is the head of Robert Sallette!" The Tory was so frightened that he jumped from the room, and Sallette pocketed the money and departed.