214 
receive his orders, which would give them an oppor¬ 
tunity of performing their duty in a manner worthy 
of themselves. 
The question having been thus decided, prepara¬ 
tions were instantly made for taking the field. A 
number of Mosambique slaves had been taught to 
work the field pieces; to each piece, therefore, were 
appointed a cannoneer, a workman, and four Mosam- 
biques; the volunteers were excellent marksmen, 
having been much practised in shooting at a target. 
The number of troops belonging to the establish¬ 
ment, was about three hundred, and the native allies 
amounted to three thousand eight hundred, upon first 
setting out. These were divided into three compa¬ 
nies for the convenience of foraging; and, upon their 
march, each company received reinforcements to the 
number altogether of twelve thousand, so that the 
whole force with which they took the field, was sixteen 
thousand three hundred and thirteen men, after 
having left a strong guard at each of the posts. 
Hirbay was the place of rendezvous : this place is 
to the north of Louisbourg. Every arrangement 
having been made for so formidable an undertaking, 
the governor set sail with his little squadron, con¬ 
sisting of one hundred and ninety-three piroguas, on 
the 30th of April, 1 776 , and having landed at Hirbay, 
was presently joined by his allies. A party was sent 
forward to clear a passage for the army across the 
mountains. These soon fell in with a body of the 
enemy, who retired upon their approach. It was a 
