Boisterous games, songs, dances, and music kept the Iroquois
awake and hilarious to the evening of the second day. Inside the fort
bedlam reigned. Boats were dragged from floors to a sally-port at the
rear of the courtyard. Here firearms, ammunition, food, and baggage
were placed in readiness. Guns which could not be taken were burned or
broken. Ammunition was scattered in the snow. All the stock but one
solitary pig, a few chickens, and the dogs was sacrificed for the
feast, and in the barracks a score of men were laboring over enormous
kettles of meat. Had an Indian spy climbed to the top of a tree and
looked over the palisades, all would have been discovered; but the
French entertainers outside kept their guests busy.
[Illustration: Chateau de Ramezay, Montreal, for years the residence of
the governor, and later the storehouse of the fur companies.]
On the evening of the second day a great fire was kindled in the outer
enclosure, between the two walls. The trumpets blew a deafening blast.
The Mohawks answered with a shout. The French clapped their hands.
The outer gates were thrown wide open, and in trooped several hundred
Mohawk warriors, seating themselves in a circle round the fire.
Another blare of trumpets, and twelve enormous kettles of mincemeat
were carried round the circle of guests. A Mohawk chief rose solemnly
and gave his deities of earth, air, and fire profuse thanks for having
brought such generous people as the French among the Iroquois.
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