Madeleine Takes Command (Living History Library)

by Ethel C. Brill

Other authorsBruce Adams (Illustrator)

Paperback, 1996

Status

Available

Call number

HF1692

Series

Living History Library

Genres

All Topics

Fiction

Publication

Bethlehem Books (1996), Paperback, 204 pages

Description

WORKING with feverish haste, Madeleine selected muskets, pistols, powder and bullets. The sight of a man's hat, an old one that had belonged to her father, lying on a powder cask, gave her an idea. She pulled off her linen cap and put on the hat. It was not too large over her heavy hair, and, seen above the pickets, it would deceive the Indians. She was adjusting powder horn and bullet pouch when Louis and Alexandre ran in with Laviolette at their heels. "Arm yourselves quickly," Madeleine ordered. "What is your plan, Ma'm'selle?" the old soldier inquired. "To defend the seigneury to the last. The little children must stay in the blockhouse and their mothers with them. That leaves only six of us to guard the palisades. We must try to make the Mohawks believe that we have a strong garrison. If they attack, we can only do our best. We are fighting for our people-what there are left of them-for our country and our faith. Let us fight to the death if need be."AND SO MADELEINE and her small force begin their harrowing vigil-hoping against all hope that help will come in time.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Hamburgerclan

I really hate child prodigies in fiction. When some snot nose punk saves the day while all the adults stand around drooling, I just want to close the book and toss it. This book, however, is the child prodigy done right. Maybe it's because the story is true. The Madeleine of the title is Madeleine

de Vercères, who lived in Quebec--or New France, as they called it--back in the late 17th Century. Her family lived in and oversaw a manor house and fort on the St. Lawrence River. It was a time when there was frequent skirmishes between the French settlers and the Iroquois Indians. Things had been peaceful for a season in their area, and folks around the fort were pretty relaxed. One day when Madeleine's father was off with the army and her mother had gone to Montreal to conduct some business, a band of Iroquois attacked. There were ten soldiers assigned to the fort, but only two happened to be in the fort when it fell under seige. Madeleine was the eldest member of her family at home and, despite the fact that she was only fourteen, assumed the responsibility of protecting the families that were able to reach the safety of the fort. It was a heroic tale, with the victory won not by any particular genius of the child, but rather through her determination and honor. Y'all should definitely check this one out.
--J.

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