Free Blood Brothers in Louisbourg by Philip Roy

definitely have been thrown into the dungeon for failing to do so. But I never did. In fact, I rejoiced in his presence. He seemed to ridicule everything the fortress stood for, making a mockery of it, and I found that refreshing and amusing. I imagined he was to Louisbourg what Voltaire was to France, or Socrates was to ancient Athens: a gadfly, a critic. He climbed the walls as if they were nothing. He came in armed with bow and arrows and eluded the guards, who didn’t even know he was there. I had no idea why he had come and I didn’t care. I just enjoyed seeing him, the few times that I did. I felt like I was a ghost watching a ghost.
    â€”
    For the first half of summer we won a string of victories at sea. My father was ecstatic. I was pleased too, but only because it meant that he was always away. That made my life easier. Then we began to make plans to attack the English at Annapolis Royal. I thought that was a terrible idea, especially because my father told me right away that I was coming along.
    â€œAnd it won’t help you to whine at the Governor, or Monsieur Anglaise, Jacques,” he said with a scolding tone. “I’ve already spoken with them and they have agreed that the experience will do you good.”
    I couldn’t believe that M. Anglaise would think that, and I wasted no time seeking a meeting with him. I had no trouble getting one – he was expecting me.
    â€œMy dear Jacques! Celestine’s cheer has improved so much and her health has as well. She is always singing now. I am deeply indebted to you.”
    â€œThank you, sir. Is there any way I can avoid accompanying the attack on Annapolis Royal, sir? I am not a soldier, as you have pointed out so articulately yourself.”
    He looked at me in a compassionate but uncomfortable way. “Alas, my dear friend, I have spoken to the Governor on your behalf. But your father had spoken to him first, and your father is a most determined man. Presently, he is riding a wave of success.”
    â€œHe has never read Boethius, sir. Our fortunes will change.”
    â€œOnly too true, Jacques. Only too true. Alas, there is only so much I can do for you in my present situation. We are of similar minds, you and I, truly we are. But my friend the Governor feels differently. Though he has, to my mind, received his position out of some unlucky design of fate, not particularly beneficial to his health I must say. It is a role he must nonetheless play to the best of his abilities. You see, Jacques, we are a country at war. As much as we might like to ignore this inconvenient fact, you and I, it will not go away.”
    M. Anglaise looked over his shoulder to see if anyone was listening, then lowered his voice. “The Governor’s military advisors, your father chief among them, believe it is now a case of attacking or being attacked, with the former holding all the advantage and the latter a catastrophe. As to your joining this expedition, your father absolutely insists upon it. He assured the Governor you would be gone and back within a month of departure. Success is guaranteed. Perhaps, if you give him what he wants this time he will be satisfied and leave you alone. Why not go along, Jacques, and make such a show of manliness as to impress your old man and put his heart at rest?”
    I dropped my head.
    â€œI am sorry, Jacques. I do hope you will take some comfort in knowing that these are but growing pains. You will surely make a great diplomat some day and dedicate the greater portion of your life to the prosperity of our beloved France, in the company of learned men and elegant ladies. A month in the woods at the end of summer is not the worst way for a young man to spend some time. The local flora is exquisite at this time of year, the air soft and mild. You could think of it as an adventure. Tell me, where would our greatest writers be without adventure?”
    â€œBut adventure for the purpose of killing,