Ch. Vil. ^ SOUTH AMERICA. 38J 



their payments at the time of their feveral harveils. 

 Thefc a6ts of kindnefs, and the open courtcfy with 

 which he always treated them; had endeared him 

 to fuch a degree, that they looked upon him as 

 their fürher ; and fo fenfible are even the rudeft 

 minds of difinterefted beneficence and aíFabiliry, that 

 they on all occafions expreffed an unrefcrved devo- 

 tion to him ; and no doubt was made, but they 

 would readily facrifice themfclves for him at -his 

 defire. On this confidence the governor of Boiion, 

 propofed to Mr. Pepperel, that he fliould go general 

 of this expedition ; as thus all the country people 

 would offer themielves to go volunteers, and grudge 

 no dangers or fatigues which they fliould undergo 

 in his preienct. JVir. Pepperel was not ignorant of 

 his interefc, and faw all the weight of the propo- 

 fal ; but declined it, as being entirely deftitore of that 

 military knowledge required in much inferior polls. 

 At length yielding to the inilances of the governor, 

 and the entreaties of his acquaintance, who feconded 

 the propofal, he accepted of the pofti and at once 

 from merchant became a warrior. This was no 

 fooner made public, than multitudes of the country 

 people flocked ñ-om all parts, defiring to be enliiled, 

 and imp^.r.ient for the enterprize: rather from a zeal 

 to accompany their chief protettor, than fjr any con- 

 cern about the conqucil of Louifoourg. 



Such was live privacy of the enterprize, that even 

 in England nothing of it was known till the execution. 

 The governor had fent notice of it to his Ibvereign, 

 but it went no further, leit an enterprize undertaken 

 with fo much fpiric, and of fuch importance, ihould be 

 rendered abortive. 



Thus the nc'w rp.ifed troops with provifions and 

 military (lores, but little fuitabie to fuch an attempt, 

 embarked at Büílon* and, in company with com- 

 modore V/jrren's fquadron, failed for Louifoourg; 



which 



