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It seems that Marin, realizing that Annapolis Royal could not be taken by assault decided to retire. So taking his troops and Indians - and Pote as well as a captive- he withdrew to Cunard. There he received an urgent message from Louisbourg. It was far from assuring, for it told him that the New Englanders were making unbelievable progress in their assaults upon the fortress. Marin at once decided to hasten to its assistance. With his force increased by several hundred Micmacs, he arrived by boat at Isgonish on Saturday, June 8th, and there on Sunday, all attended Mass in the Parish Church, where the Te Deum was sung in thankfulness for their capture of Pote and his comrades. Early the next day, the party started on the trail which led across the Cobequid Mountains to Tatamagouche. Though the heat was so great that many Indians were exhausted, they made the journey in one day and about sunset arrived at the Acadian village of Tatamagouche on the tidal waters, probably near the meeting of the Rivers. For three days Marin remained at Tatamagouche busying himself with preparations for the voyage to Louisbourg. On Friday the 14th, all his force, French, Hurons and Micmacs embarked in a strange and weird flotilla as ever was to sail the waters of Tatamagouche Harbour. Preceeded by thirty scouts, the Hurons went first in their stout canoes of elm and ash, fourteen men to a canoe. With them as their prisoner went Pote, and with him, his diary. The Hurons were followed by the Micmac Indians in two shallops and bringing up the rear came the French force itself, under Marin in a sloop and schooner. Back |
