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True/False
Indicate whether the statement is true or false.
____ 5. An algorithm describes a process that may or may not halt after arriving at a solution to a problem.
____ 7. The algorithms that describe information processing can also be represented as information.
____ 8. When using a computer, human users primarily interact with the memory.
____ 10. The part of a computer that is responsible for processing data is the central processing unit (CPU).
____ 11. Magnetic storage media, such as tapes and hard disks, allow bit patterns to be stored as patterns on a
magnetic field.
____ 12. A program stored in computer memory must be represented in binary digits, which is also known as ascii
code.
____ 13. The most important example of system software is a computer’s operating system.
____ 14. An important part of any operating system is its file system, which allows human users to organize their
data and programs in permanent storage.
____ 15. A programmer typically starts by writing high-level language statements in a text editor.
____ 17. In the 1930s, the mathematician Blaise Pascal explored the theoretical foundations and limits of
algorithms and computation.
____ 18. The first electronic digital computers, sometimes called mainframe computers, consisted of vacuum tubes,
wires, and plugs, and filled entire rooms.
____ 19. In the early 1940s, computer scientists realized that a symbolic notation could be used instead of machine
code, and the first assembly languages appeared.
____ 20. The development of the transistor in the early 1960s allowed computer engineers to build ever smaller,
faster, and less expensive computer hardware components.
____ 21. Moore’s Law states that the processing speed and storage capacity of hardware will increase and its cost
will decrease by approximately a factor of 3 every 18 months.
____ 22. In the 1960s, batch processing sometimes caused a programmer to wait days for results, including error
messages.
____ 23. In 1984, Apple Computer brought forth the Macintosh, the first successful mass-produced personal
computer with a graphical user interface.
____ 24. By the mid 1980s, the ARPANET had grown into what we now call the Internet, connecting computers
owned by large institutions, small organizations, and individuals all over the world.
____ 25. Steve Jobs wrote the first Web server and Web browser software.
____ 26. Guido van Rossum invented the Python programming language in the early 1990s.
____ 27. In Python, the programmer can force the output of a value by using the cout statement.
____ 28. When executing the print statement, Python first displays the value and then evaluates the expression.
____ 29. When writing Python programs, you should use a .pyt extension.
____ 30. The interpreter reads a Python expression or statement, also called the source code, and verifies that it is
well formed.
____ 31. If a Python expression is well formed, the interpreter translates it to an equivalent form in a low-level
language called byte code.
Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
____ 32. The sequence of steps that describes a computational processes is called a(n) ____.
a. program c. pseudocode
b. computing agent d. algorithm
____ 33. An algorithm consists of a(n) ____ number of instructions.
a. finite c. predefined
b. infinite d. undefined
____ 34. The action described by the instruction in an algorithm can be performed effectively or be executed by a
____.
a. computer c. computing agent
b. processor d. program
____ 35. In the modern world of computers, information is also commonly referred to as ____.
a. data c. input
b. bits d. records
____ 36. In carrying out the instructions of any algorithm, the computing agent starts with some given information
(known as ____).
a. data c. input
b. variables d. output
____ 37. In carrying out the instructions of any algorithm, the computing agent transforms some given information
according to well-defined rules, and produces new information, known as ____.
a. data c. input
b. variables d. output
____ 38. ____ consists of the physical devices required to execute algorithms.
a. Firmware c. I/O
b. Hardware d. Processors
____ 39. ____ is the set of algorithms, represented as programs in particular programming languages.
a. Freeware c. Software
b. Shareware d. Dataset
____ 40. In a computer, the ____ devices include a keyboard, a mouse, and a microphone.
a. memory c. input
b. CPU d. output
____ 41. Computers can communicate with the external world through various ____ that connect them to networks
and to other devices such as handheld music players and digital cameras.
a. facilities c. racks
b. ports d. slots
____ 42. The primary memory of a computer is also sometimes called internal or ____.
a. read-only memory (ROM) c. flash memory
b. random access memory (RAM) d. associative memory
____ 43. The CPU, which is also sometimes called a ____, consists of electronic switches arranged to perform
simple logical, arithmetic, and control operations.
a. motherboard c. chip
b. computing agent d. processor
____ 44. Flash memory sticks are an example of ____ storage media.
a. semiconductor c. optical
b. magnetic d. primary
____ 45. Tapes and hard disks are an example of ____ storage media.
a. semiconductor c. optical
b. magnetic d. primary
____ 46. CDs and DVDs are an example of ____ storage media.
a. semiconductor c. optical
b. magnetic d. primary
____ 47. A ____ takes a set of machine language instructions as input and loads them into the appropriate memory
locations.
a. compiler c. loader
b. linker d. interpreter
____ 48. A modern ____ organizes the monitor screen around the metaphor of a desktop, with windows containing
icons for folders, files, and applications.
a. GUI c. terminal-based interface
b. CLI d. applications software
____ 49. ____ programming languages resemble English and allow the author to express algorithms in a form that
other people can understand.
a. Assembly c. Low-level
b. Interpreted d. High-level
____ 50. Early in the nineteenth century, ____ designed and constructed a machine that automated the process of
weaving.
a. George Boole c. Herman Hollerith
b. Joseph Jacquard d. Charles Babbage
____ 51. ____ took the concept of a programmable computer a step further by designing a model of a machine that,
conceptually, bore a striking resemblance to a modern general-purpose computer.
a. George Boole c. Herman Hollerith
b. Joseph Jacquard d. Charles Babbage
____ 52. ____ developed a machine that automated data processing for the U.S. Census.
a. George Boole c. Herman Hollerith
b. Joseph Jacquard d. Charles Babbage
____ 53. ____ developed a system of logic which consisted of a pair of values, TRUE and FALSE, and a set of
three primitive operations on these values, AND, OR, and NOT.
a. George Boole c. Herman Hollerith
b. Joseph Jacquard d. Charles Babbage
____ 54. ____ was considered ideal for numerical and scientific applications.
a. COBOL c. LISP
b. Machine code d. FORTRAN
____ 55. In its early days, ____ was used primarily for laboratory experiments in an area of research known as
artificial intelligence.
a. COBOL c. LISP
b. Machine code d. FORTRAN
____ 56. In science or any other area of enquiry, a(n) ____ allows human beings to reduce complex ideas or entities
to simpler ones.
a. abstraction c. module
b. algorithm d. compiler
____ 57. In the early 1980s, a college dropout named Bill Gates and his partner Paul Allen built their own
operating system software, which they called ____.
a. LISP c. MS-DOS
b. Windows d. Linux
____ 58. Python is a(n) ____ language.
a. functional c. interpreted
b. assembly d. compiled
____ 59. To quit the Python shell, you can either select the window’s close box or press the ____ key combination.
a. Control+C c. Control+Z
b. Control+D d. Control+X
____ 60. In Python, you can write a print statement that includes two or more expressions separated by ____.
a. periods c. colons
b. commas d. semicolons
____ 61. The Python interpreter rejects any statement that does not adhere to the grammar rules, or ____, of the
language.
a. code c. definition
b. library d. syntax
1
Answer Section
TRUE/FALSE
MULTIPLE CHOICE
But by this time La Salle was not alone in his wanderings. In Henry de
Tonti he had a fiery and trusty lieutenant, and a devoted follower in a
Recollet friar, Father Hennepin. Before coming to Canada, Tonti had lost a
hand in battle, its place being supplied by one of steel, covered by a glove.
The Indians stood amazed at the blows Tonti could deal with his mysterious
gloved hand, blows which would have shattered their own members to
fragments. Tonti often had reason to bless his hand of steel. Three years
after the ill-fated Griffin went down, La Salle saw his way clear to carry out
his great purpose. He embarked on the waters of the Mississippi on a
voyage to its source. The explorer, with Tonti and his party, met with a
friendly reception from most of the Indians on their journey. Some were
disposed to be hostile, and when this happened to be the case, strong, quick
paddling soon put the French out of their reach. Finally, on the 19th of
March, as the sun shone hot and trees and flowers were in bloom, their
canoes entered the mouth of the Father of Waters, which is divided into
three channels. La Salle, in his canoe, entered one, Tonti the second, and
Captain d'Autray the third. All disembarked, and on some high, dry ground
La Salle caused a column to be raised, and upon it this inscription was
placed:
La Salle took possession of the country for the King, and bestowed upon it
the name, in his honour, of Louisiana. It took the explorers a full year to get
back to Quebec, for the current was strong and the difficulties many. There
he received a warm reception. But nothing could console him. Much to his
sorrow and dismay, he found a new Governor installed. The enemies of
Frontenac, headed by Laval, had triumphed, and the greatest and strongest
man in Canada had been recalled by the King. Never could this measure
have happened at a worse time. For, while La Salle had been absent, after
years of peace, the restless Iroquois had dug up the war-hatchet. Upon a
pretext of having received offence from the Illinois tribe, which was under
French protection, they threatened to deluge the land in blood. To this
policy they had been urged by the English Governor of New York, Colonel
Dongan, who saw with alarm the growing enterprise, both in fur trade and
exploration of the French. While he continued in Canada the doughty
Frontenac was more than a match for the Iroquois chiefs. He sent for them
instantly to Fort Frontenac, saying that if they had been wronged by the
Illinois he would see that they had proper satisfaction. The Iroquois, having
the English Governor at their back, at first returned a defiant answer. "If
you want to see us, friend Onontio," they said, "you must come to our
lodges." With flashing eyes and with knitted brows, Frontenac sent back the
messenger to the Iroquois commanding them to keep their hands off his
Indians or take all consequences. He had, he said, asked them to come and
meet him at Fort Frontenac. Now he added, if the Iroquois wished to see
him, they would have to come to Montreal. His sternness and the fear of his
displeasure overcame the braves of the Five Nations. Changing their tone,
they sent an embassy to Montreal, promising the peace which they hated.
Scarcely had they done so than Frontenac the Lion was replaced by La
Barre, the Lamb.
Like every one else, La Salle, on learning the evil news, saw the folly
and danger of the change. To France straightway he sailed, where the King
heaped him with honours, and, seizing the opportunity, he unfolded a
project for establishing a French colony in Louisiana. Ships were freely
given him and many soldiers and supplies to reach the Gulf of Mexico by
sea. But La Salle, though he never would admit the fact, was no sailor. His
navigation was fatally at fault; he wholly missed his intended destination,
the mouth of the Mississippi, sailing hundreds of miles beyond. He landed,
and through the forests and swamps, and stricken with fever, he led his
colonists. After much miserable wandering, in which most of the little army
perished, his followers mutinied. La Salle was murdered and his corpse
flung to the jackals and vultures.
Far more successful were the adventures of the Chevalier de Troyes. The
Chevalier de Troyes was a Canadian nobleman who had long fought for his
king, and had seen service on many of the bloody battlefields in Europe.
Now, when age began to creep upon him, and scars lined his cheek and
brow, he had retired to his estate on the banks of the silvery St. Lawrence,
to spend the rest of his days in peace and the companionship of his books.
In his retirement the news of the increasing power and wealth of the
Hudson's Bay Company reached him; it told him that unless this power was
checked the prosperity of the French fur-hunters and fur-traders would be
utterly crushed. An idea flashed across the brain of the Chevalier de Troyes,
who believed he now saw an opportunity of winning enduring distinction,
to rival, and may be surpass, the exploits of Champlain, La Salle, and the
other hero-pioneers of New France.
In the depths of winter he summoned all his dependants and all whom
his eloquence could attract, locked up his library, and set out for Quebec on
snow-shoes. From the Governor he procured, on Christmas Eve 1685,
official permission to steal upon the English and drive them, at the point of
the sword, from the shores of Hudson's Bay. He was empowered to "search
for, seize, and occupy the most advantageous posts, to seize the robbers,
bushrangers, and others whom we know to have taken and arrested several
of our French engaged in the Indian trade, whom we order him to arrest,
especially Radisson and his adherents, wherever they may be found, and
bring them to be punished as deserters, according to the rigour of the
ordinances." The rigour of the ordinances was but another word for death.
It is worth telling that this conquest was made with an amount of pomp
and ceremony calculated to strike the deepest awe into the hearts of the
fifteen unhappy traders, who knew nothing of fighting, nor had bargained
for anything so perilous. For so small a victory it was both preceded and
followed by almost as much circumstance as would have sufficed for the
Grand Monarque himself in one of his theatrical sieges. The Chevalier
announced in a loud voice that he took possession of the fort and island "in
the name of his Most Christian Majesty the Most High, Most Mighty, Most
Redoubtable Monarch Louis XIV. of the Most Christian names, King of
France and Navarre." According to romantic custom, a sod of earth was
thrice raised in the air, whilst a cry of "Vive le Roi" rang out over those
waters wherein, deep down, lay the bodies of Henry Hudson and his brave
followers.
Flushed with his triumph, the Chevalier de Troyes next bethought him of
an attack on either Fort Rupert or Fort Albany. He did not long hesitate.
News came that a boat containing provisions had left Moose Factory on the
previous day bound for Rupert's River. Iberville was therefore sent with
nine men and two bark canoes to attack a sloop belonging to the Company,
then lying at anchor at the mouth of the latter river. Fourteen souls were
aboard, including the Governor. To accomplish this feat it was necessary to
travel forty leagues along the sea-coast. The road was extremely difficult,
and in places almost impassable. A small boat was built to carry a couple of
small camion. When he had arranged all his plans, Troyes left for Fort
Rupert.
Ere the attack, which could only have one issue, was made by the land
forces, Iberville had boarded the Company's sloop, surprised captain and
crew, and made all, including Governor Bridgar, prisoners. Four of the
English were killed.
On the heels of this exploit, Iberville came ashore, rejoined his superior,
and overpowered the almost defenceless garrison of Fort Rupert.
The French forces now united, and Ste. Hélène having been as
successful as his brother in securing the second of the Company's ships, all
embarked and sailed for the remaining post of the Company in that part of
the Bay.
Neither Troyes nor Iberville knew its precise situation; but a little
reconnoitring soon discovered it. Fort Albany was built in a sheltered inlet
forty yards from the borders of the Bay. Two miles to the north-east was an
estrapade, on the summit of which was placed a seat for a sentinel to sight
the ships expected from England, and to signal them if all was well. But on
this morning, unhappily, no sentinel was there to greet with a waving flag
the Company's captured ship, on the deck of which young Iberville held
vigilant and expectant watch.
From the ship the French had thrown up a battery, which was separated
from the moat surrounding the fort by less than a musket-shot. None
ventured to show himself above ground at a moment of such peril. A shell
exploded at the head of the stairway and wounded the cook. The cries of the
French could now be distinctly heard outside the fort—"Vive le Roi, Vive le
Roi." In their fright and despair the English echoed the cry "Vive le Roi,"
thinking thereby to propitiate their aggressors. But the latter mistook the cry
for one of defiance, as a token of loyalty to an altogether different monarch,
and the bullets whistled faster and thicker. Sargeant desired to lower the
flag floating above his own dwelling, but there was none to undertake so
hazardous a task. Finally, Dixon, the under-factor, offered to show himself
and placate the French. He first thrust a white cloth from a window and
waved a lighted torch before it. He then called in a loud voice, and the
firing instantly ceased. The under-factor came forth, fully dressed, bearing
two huge flagons of port wine. Walking beyond the parapets, he
encountered both Troyes and Iberville, and by the light of a full moon the
little party of French officers and the solitary Englishman sat down on the
mounted cannon, or on the ground beside it, broached the two flagons and
drank the health of the two kings, their masters.
"Possession of your fort in the name of his Most Christian Majesty, King
Louis the Fourteenth."
Dixon, explaining that he was not master there, offered to conduct this
message to his chief, and in a very short time the French commanders were
seated comfortably within the house of the Governor. The demand was here
repeated, it being added that great offence had been given by the action of
the English in taking captive three French traders, the previous autumn, and
keeping them prisoners on ground owned and ruled by the King of France.
For this compensation was demanded, and Sargeant was desired at once to
surrender the fort. The Governor was surprised at such extreme measures,
for which he was totally unprepared, but was willing to surrender upon
terms of capitulation. On the following morning these were arranged.
It was agreed that Sargeant should continue to keep all his personal
effects; and further, that his deputy, Dixon, three domestics, and his servant
should accompany him out of the fort. It was also agreed that Troyes should
send the clerks and servants of the Company to a neighbouring island, there
to await the arrival of the Company's ships from England. In case of their
non-arrival within a reasonable time, Troyes promised to assist them to such
vessel as he could procure for the purpose. The Frenchmen also gave
Sargeant the provisions necessary to keep him and his companions from
starvation. All quitted the fort without arms, save Sargeant and his son,
whose swords and pistols hung at their sides. The Governor and his suite
were provided with passage to Hays Island, where he afterwards made his
escape to Port Nelson. The others were distributed between Forts Moose
and Albany, and were treated by their captors with considerable severity and
hardship.
You may believe that the victories of the Chevalier were blazoned to the
skies. He was hailed in Montreal, Three Rivers, and Quebec as equal to any
of the heroes of olden times, and his return was celebrated with great pomp.
As to his future, the career of the Chevalier de Troyes ended abruptly and
tragically in 1687, when he and all his men, to the number of ninety, were
massacred by the Indians at Niagara.
The name of the Seneca deputy at the peace conference was La Grande
Gueule, or Big Jaw, so called from his gift of sustained eloquence. Big Jaw
openly boasted that the Iroquois had not the slightest intention of sparing
the Illinois tribe, whether the French liked it or not. Frontenac would have
smitten the fellow down where he stood, but La Barre was obliged to
pocket this affront, and the next day the remnant of his troops, full of anger
and indignation, marched away.
Such a peace could not, of course, long endure. The Iroquois torch had
been kindled, an evil wind was blowing, and it would take more than La
Barre's feeble efforts to extinguish it. Tardy in war and too eager for peace
had the Governor shown himself, and when he returned to Quebec found, to
his mortification, that the King, his master, had superseded him. His instant
return to France was ordered, the Marquis de Denonville being appointed in
his stead. Little pains did His Majesty take to conceal his dissatisfaction
with the treaty, or his anger at the abandonment of the Illinois.
The new Governor very quickly found that the English colonists were
intriguing with the Iroquois, upholding and encouraging them in acts of
hostility against the French. War, and war in earnest, had to come, and when
800 fresh soldiers arrived from France, Denonville began to prepare for it.
In this he had the loyal support of the brave and wise man who also came
out as the new Governor of Montreal, De Callières. Unluckily, Denonville
began with an act of treachery. It was a strange deed for a soldier and a
Christian. A number of Iroquois chiefs were enticed to Fort Frontenac,
where they were seized, and, after being flung into prison, were sent to
France to work all the rest of their days in the galleys. What a fate for such
haughty braves, who never worked, but left all labour to their poor squaws!
What wonder the revenge of the Iroquois was terrible!
Creeping along the St. Lawrence with his army, Denonville crossed Lake
Ontario, built a new fort, and leaving 400 men to guard it, marched towards
the Seneca lodges. In the middle of July 1687 a hot battle took place with
800 Senecas, in which, after losing six men killed and twenty wounded, the
French drove the foe into the forest. Four hundred thousand bushels of
Indian corn (maize) and several herds of swine were found and destroyed.
In the meantime, however, while the Senecas were being punished, the
danger to Montreal and the other towns was imminent, owing to their being
without strong military protection. To defend Chambly 120 bushrangers
were armed, and on the island of Montreal, Callières built twenty small
forts for the inhabitants to take refuge in, should the Iroquois descend upon
them in force. For by this time, as you can imagine, the whole of the Five
Nations were blazing with rage, as if they had been so many bloodthirsty
wolves. Even in their rage they were cunning. They had no intention of
attacking Canada in force; that was not their method of warfare. Crossing
the border silently in batches, each singled out his prey, some sleeping
village, or mayhap an unsuspecting farm. Next day a few mangled corpses
here, a heap of smoking ruins there, told the terrible tale of the Iroquois
raid.
After a time the wiser heads amongst the Five Nations began to consider
whether a conquest over the French would not make the Colonial English
(whom they called Ang'ais or Yankees) too powerful. Suddenly they openly
professed a desire for peace. A deputation was sent to Canada to say that,
strong as the Iroquois knew themselves to be, they did not mean to press for
all the advantages they had the right and power to demand. "We know,"
they said, "how weak you are. We can at any time burn the houses of your
people, pillage your stores, waste your crops, and raze your forts." To this
boasting Denonville replied that Colonel Dongan of New York claimed the
Iroquois as English subjects. "If you are English subjects, then you must be
at peace with us, for France and England are not now at war." "Onontio,"
exclaimed the chief of the Envoys, "the Five Nations are independent! We
can be friends to one or both, or enemies to one or both. Never have we
been conquered by either of you."
In the end a truce was proclaimed, but truce or no truce, a great many
skirmishes and massacres still went on, on both sides. All they could do to
prevent a peace being signed, the Hurons of Michilimackinac, allies of the
French, did. To them peace meant utter ruin; their numbers were too few,
and they well knew Denonville could not protect them from the fury of the
Iroquois. Amongst the Hurons was a tall chief famous for his prowess in
war and his gift of eloquence. He was, according to those who knew him,
the bravest and most intelligent chief on the whole Continent. Kondiaronk,
or "The Rat," was mortally offended that the French should have made even
a truce without so much as consulting the wishes of their native allies. To
take his revenge on Denonville, he resolved to make peace impossible.
When the Iroquois envoys were on their way to Montreal to sign the treaty,
"The Rat" lay in ambush with a band of his trusty Hurons. He surprised and
made them all his prisoners, slaying one. When they angrily explained that
they were peaceful envoys, the crafty Kondiaronk professed to be greatly
surprised, because, said he, "the French Governor himself sent me here on
purpose to waylay you. But if, as I believe, what you say is true, behold, I
set you at liberty! May the gods curse Onontio for having committed such
an act of treachery!" Thus saying, he loaded the deputies with gifts and
bade all but one go free. After which Kondiaronk, glorying in his perfidy,
hastened to Michilimackinac, shaking his fist in triumph and crying, "I have
killed the peace!" He spoke then the truth. The Iroquois prisoner he took
with him, under the pretence of adopting him in place of one of his Hurons
slain by the deputies on being attacked, was handed over to the French
Commander of Michilimackinac as a spy. In vain the victim protested that
he was an envoy of peace between the Five Nations and the French. In vain
did he try to explain the circumstances of his capture. Kondiaronk laughed
in his face, telling the French Commander he must have taken leave of his
wits, and the unhappy wretch was led to the stake. An Iroquois captive was
released by Kondiaronk and bidden to return to his tribe with this message,
that while the French were making a show of wishing peace, they were
secretly slaying and capturing the men of the Five Nations.
In the month of August 1689 burst at last the storm of the Iroquois'
hatred and revenge. One night, during a heavy shower of hail, 1500 dusky
warriors crossed Lake St. Louis, landing silently and stealthily on the
beautiful island of Montreal, the "Garden of Canada." By daybreak they had
grouped themselves in platoons, one platoon around every large dwelling
for several leagues along the road at Lachine almost to the gates of
Montreal. The inhabitants of Lachine were wrapped in sweet slumber, soon
and ruthlessly to be exchanged for that other slumber which knows no
mortal awakening.
Such was the awful massacre of Lachine; such the vengeance of the
Iroquois. So swift and sudden had been the blow that the citizens of
Montreal were paralysed. All that dreadful day the savages moved on, and
for many days afterwards, and none came to arrest their course. Governor
Denonville, to whose policy the calamity was due, seems entirely to have
lost his nerve. A few miles from Lachine a body of 200 troops, led by a
brave officer named Subercase, asked to be led against the murderers of
their countrymen. But Denonville, in a panic, ordered Subercase to take
refuge in Fort Roland. All were forbidden to stir. Another body of men,
commanded by one Larobeyre, attempting to reach Fort Roland, were set
upon and cut to pieces. More than half the prisoners were burnt by their
conquerors. Larobeyre, wounded and unable to flee, was led captive to the
Iroquois wigwams and roasted alive at a slow fire. The bloodthirsty tribes
remained by the St. Lawrence as long as they pleased; their ravages of the
countryside continued for many weeks. Not until October did the last of
them disappear. A small party sent by Denonville to make sure that they had
really gone, came upon a canoe bearing twenty-two departing Iroquois
paddling across the Lake of the Two Mountains. The chance was not one to
be foregone. Too long held in check, the Canadians drew near the savages,
who fired upon them without damage. Then with a fierce joy the white men
singled out each his man, raised their muskets, and when the explosion
came eighteen Iroquois toppled over into the lake. But considering the
hundreds of Canadians who had been massacred, this was a paltry
retribution indeed.
What wonder now that the men and women of Canada longed for the
strong right arm and sagacious brain of Frontenac! Is it any marvel that they
rejoiced to hear that, menaced with the loss of his North-American
dominions, King Louis had entrusted the gallant, fiery old soldier once
more with the government of New France. Frontenac's return was hailed by
all, nobles, soldiers, merchants, artisans, farmers, even by the Jesuits, who
five years before had striven to send him away. He was escorted to the fort
with a multitude of torch-bearers. Well he knew what a great task awaited
him. He had now to battle not only with the Iroquois, but with the Anglo-
American colonies, the Yankees, as they were called by the Indians, just as
his master, King Louis, had to combat five powers at once—England,
Germany, Holland, Spain, and Savoy.
Was Frontenac equal to the task? Was the strain now to be placed on his
shoulders too great for the powers of a hero seventy-two years of age? That
question let the next chapter answer.
CHAPTER IX
"Now, by St. Louis," cried Frontenac, "they shall see how weak we are!"
His fiery soul could not wait upon the seasons. The three expeditions he
sent forth marched amidst the ice and snow of mid-winter, for it was by
such a stroke of daring that Canada could be saved. The first started from
Montreal, led by Mantet and Ste. Hélène, one of the three sons of the brave
Canadian named Le Moine, and after incredible hardships reached the
village of Schenectady, on the Hudson. They burst upon the sleeping,
unsuspecting villagers in the middle of the night, killing many and taking
numerous prisoners. When the fighting was over they burned nearly the
whole settlement to the ground. The Indians of the party were indignant at
not being able to torture the prisoners unhindered, for the French-Canadian
leaders were not cruel by nature. They showed gratitude to an English
colonist named Glen, who, on a previous occasion, had treated certain
French prisoners with kindness. Glen barricaded his house, resolved to sell
his life dearly, but the Canadian captain called out to him to have no fear.
"We are your debtors, not your enemies. Moreover, if you have any
kinsmen amongst the captives we have taken, point them out, and they shall
go free." The Quebec Indians looked on sulkily while the Englishman took
advantage of this handsome offer and named several of the prisoners. "This
Yankee pale-face has a terribly large family," their chief was heard to
grumble.
By feats such as these the tide was turned. At last the French had
exhibited proofs of their prowess, and the Iroquois were not slow in
acknowledging that they had made a mistake when they branded them with
the name of cowards. Frontenac could strike still as heavy a blow as in the
past. The wavering North-West tribes made haste to assure him of their
support, and the haughty Iroquois, in spite of the arguments of the English,
sent deputies to Quebec to congratulate Onontio on his return to the land.
The furs which had been collecting for three years in the distant ports, with
none daring enough to venture upon their transport, now began to pour into
Montreal in hundreds of canoes. Trade began to revive, and the drooping
spirits of the colonists were exchanged for gladness and hope.
Could the redoubtable Frontenac have thought that the English colonists
would bear this terrible treatment tamely? No! every mind and bosom there
was excited by the desire for revenge. Moreover, they knew that now
France's chief strength lay in Frontenac himself. With England flying at the
throat of Old France, the King, to whom Frontenac applied, told him bluntly
that he had need for all his soldiers in Europe. "Your demands," wrote King
Louis, "come at a wrong time. A defensive policy is the proper one for you
to pursue." True, William the Third of England also could give little help to
the New Englanders. They, too, must fight their own battles. To their own
arms was it left to inflict chastisement on the Canadians in the north.
Accordingly, all the colonies met in consultation, and by great efforts a fleet
of seven vessels and several hundred men was raised in Boston. Sir William
Phips led them forth, and Port Royal, in Acadia, was taken without much
trouble. Sufficient booty was captured to cover the cost of this expedition,
and the New Englanders returned flushed with triumph and eager for a
more daring blow. Meanwhile a land force of 1300 men, under Colonel
Winthrop, had failed, through sickness and mismanagement, to reach
Montreal by way of Lake Champlain. A portion of this little army had
followed Captain John Schuyler onwards, and, crossing the Canadian
border, killed a few Frenchmen near Montreal. When it had done that, it
beat a hasty retreat.
The bandage was taken from the messenger's eyes and the paper read
and translated to the company. Then the New England major took a large
silver watch from his pocket and laid it on the table, saying haughtily,
"Gentlemen, you will perceive it is now ten o'clock. My general expects an
answer by eleven."
For two whole days Phips remained in a state of indecision. The enemy
was of sterner stuff than he had supposed, and an effective plan must be
concerted. On the 18th of October 1690 Major Walley, the second in
command, with 1300 men and some small field cannon, landed at Beauport.
They had resolved to cross the St. Charles River there and attack Quebec in
the rear. At the same time the guns of the ships opened fire. So vigorously
replied the ramparts that Phips was obliged to draw off for a while, not
renewing his bombardment until the next morning. By this time the New
England commander saw that unless the troops on shore could manage to
force their way into the city and capture it by assault, his chances of success
were gone.
Valiantly, doggedly did Walley and his men try to cross the St. Charles
River. The banks were covered with deep mud; each time they tried to
cross, the Indians and bushrangers sent by Frontenac beat them off. After
three days of cold and hunger they were fain to give up the attempt. When
they retreated to the ships, five of their cannon were left sticking in the
Beauport mud. Yet even had they succeeded, what a task was left them to
do! There was Frontenac watching them sharply, ready, if need be, to go to
the rescue of the outposts of carabiniers with 2000 men. In these
circumstances Sir William Phips's siege of Quebec turned out an utter
failure. Frontenac was more than a match for him: Quebec was not Port
Royal.
On the following day the townsfolk and soldiers on the heights saw the
discomfited fleet of the foe passing out of sight homeward down the St.
Lawrence. They had lost only some sixty killed and wounded,—Ste. Hélène
had fallen,—while before Phips got back to Boston, what with those slain
by bullets and the hundreds drowned on the several ships lost in the
November storms, his loss was heavy indeed. While Quebec sang a Te
Deum and dedicated a chapel to "Our Lady of Victories," Boston was
plunged in gloom. Phips's ignoble failure had involved the whole colony in
debt and mortification. King Louis the Fourteenth, hearing the good news,
ordered a medal to be struck bearing the inscription: "Francia in Nova Orbe
Victrix; Kebeca Liberata A.D. MDCXC."
If Frontenac hoped that the Iroquois would cease after this to give him
trouble, he was destined to disappointment. All his endeavours to conciliate
them failed; their chiefs were still convinced that they had more to hope for
as allies of the English, and took measures accordingly. English and French
colonists now hated one another with a hate that was never to slumber for
the next seventy years, until Wolfe was to plant the blood-red flag of
England on the frowning heights of Quebec.
During the winter of 1691 and 1692 there were numerous terrible border
raids, in one of which the Abenakis devastated more than fifty leagues of
English territory and utterly destroyed Yorktown. Both French and English
used the Indians as so many packs of human bloodhounds to track their foes
to death. Both sides resorted to the practice of paying a price for the bodies,
alive or dead, of the hostile savages. A French regular soldier received ten
louis for the scalp of an Iroquois; a volunteer received twenty. If he had to
hunt the red-man like any other wild animal, he could claim fifty louis for
his scalp. This practice was not confined to the Canadians. Corresponding
premiums were paid by the English.
Living captives were often handed over to their Indian allies to appease
their delight in human suffering and bloodshed. Once one of Frontenac's
officers, ravaging the country of the Oneidas, found a solitary old man in a
certain village. He was nearly a hundred years of age, but do not imagine
his years awakened any compassion in his captors, who at once handed him
over to their savage allies. The old brave awaited his fate as calmly as any
of those Roman senators whose city was taken by the Gauls. Father
Charlevoix tells us the story. He says it was a strange sight to behold more
than four hundred savage tormentors forming a circle round a decrepit
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