activity on the part of the Government had disquieted but not frightened those who remained at home. They were bred to alarms and affronts. Even the arrival of ships bearing Winslow and his men and the sight of tents pitched near the churchyard did not greatly disturb the ingenuous villagers of Grand Pré. On the fifth of September the males young and old were commanded to present themselves in the village church and they did so, wonderingly. They saw Winslow seated before a table in the aisle. They perceived that he held in his hands a document, from which, when they were all assembled, he began to read. Still they did not understand until the words surged to their ears—"Your Lands and Tenements, Cattle of all kinds, and Live Stock of all Sorts are Forfeited to the Crown with all your other Effects, saving your money and Household Goods, and . . . the whole French Inhabitants of these Districts to be removed . . . whole Families Shall go in the Same Vessel. . . . It is His Majesty's Pleasure that you remain under the Inspection and Direction of the Troops that I have the Honour to Command." . . . And still they could not believe. . . . Lands, cattle forfeited . . . inhabitants removed . . . by vessel . . . under the direction of the troops . . .
Summoning voices and rough hands at their elbows roused the stupefied peasants of Minas. They thought of their women . . . a few were allowed to go under escort to tell them.
