Salvation by Sacrifice

In the early days of the French in Canada, those living at Quebec heard that the Iroquois were coming down the St. Lawrence, twelve hundred strong. If they reached the settlements they would burn the houses, and destroy the crops even if those who gained the Fort were secure. They must not reach Quebec. So Daulac with sixteen followers volunteered to go up the river and meet them, and turn them back. On the way they were joined by forty-four Hurons and coming to the foot of a rapid which the Iroquois must descend, they built a little fort of stakes and stones and awaited the foe. And they came twelve hundred strong and hurled attack after attack against the little citadel. But those behind were fighting off the enemy for country and for life. They beat off the enemy for days and days. But the water was exhausted and their parched throats refused to swallow the dry corn. But there was no thought of surrender and so the fight went on. But the task was too unequal even for men such as they, and they were at last slain. But the Iroquois had learned to fear Frenchmen so that they never went on to Quebec. The seventeen brave Frenchmen had saved their countrymen’s lives by laying down their own.