406 FRENCH AND ENGLISH RIVALRY. [1694-96. 



Ottawas had been made to believe that the French 

 neither would nor could protect them, but meant 

 to leave them to their fate. They thought that 

 the}' had no hope except in peace with the Iroquois, 

 and had actually gone to meet them at an ap- 

 pointed rendezvous. One course alone was now 

 left to Frontenac, and this was to strike the Iro- 

 quois with a blow heavy enough to humble them, 

 and teach the wavering hordes of the west that 

 he was, in truth, their father and their defender. 

 Nobody knew so well as he the difficulties of the 

 attempt ; and, deceived perhaps by his own ener- 

 gy, he feared that, in his absence on a distant expe- 

 dition, the governor of New York would attack 

 Montreal. Therefore, he had begged for more 

 troops. About three hundred were sent him, and 

 with these he was forced to content himself. 



He had waited, also, for another reason. In his 

 belief, the re-establishment of Fort Frontenac, 

 abandoned in a panic by Denonville, was neces- 

 sary to the success of a campaign against the Iro- 

 quois. A party in the colony vehemently opposed 

 the measure, on the ground that the fort would be 

 used by the friends of Frontenac for purposes 

 of trade. It was, nevertheless, very important, if 

 not essential, for holding the Iroquois in check. 

 They themselves felt it to be so ; and, when they 

 heard that the French intended to occupy it again, 

 they appealed to the governor of New York, who 

 told them that, if the plan were carried into effect, 

 he would march to their aid with all the power of 



