It will be noticed that one of the conditions of surrender was that the English should be permitted to march out “match-lighted; ball in mouth.” The latter term needs no explanation. The ball was held ready to be rammed down the barrel. With reference to the term “match-lighted,” in the novel, “Heralds of Empire,” I had referred to “matches” when the argus-eyed critic came down with the criticism that “matches” were not invented until after 1800. I stood corrected till I happened to be in the Tower of London in the room given over to the collection of old armor. I asked one of the doughty old “beef eaters” to take down a musket of that period, and show me exactly what “match-lighted” must have meant. The old soldier’s explanation was this: In time of war, not flint but a little bit of inflammable punk did duty as “match-lighter.” This was fastened below the trigger like the percussion cap of a later day. The privilege of surrendering “match-lighted” meant with the punk below the trigger. I offer this explanation for what it is worth, and as he is the keeper of the finest collection of old armor in the world, the chances are he is right and that matches preceded 1800. * * * * * At first sight, there may seem to be discrepancies in the numbers on the English ships, but the 200 mariners were extra men, in addition to the 50 or 60 seamen on each frigate, and the 50 or 60 servants on each boat sent out to strengthen the forts. CHAPTER XIV 1688-1710 WHAT BECAME OF RADISSON? NEW FACTS ON THE LAST DAYS OF THE FAMOUS PATHFINDER What became of Radisson? It seems impossible that the man, who set France and England by the ears for a century, and led the way to the pathfinding of half America, should have dropped so completely into oblivion that not a scrap is recorded concerning the last twenty-five years of his life. Was he run to earth by the bailiffs of London, like Thackeray’s “Virginian?” Or did he become the lion tamed, the eagle with its wings clipped, to be patronized by supercilious nonentities? Or did he die like Ledyard of a heart broken by hope deferred?