Madeleine Takes Command

by Ethel C. Brill

E.M. Hale (January 1, 1946)

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.

"I read this book with my 10 year old son for his world history course. I really enjoyed the story of brave Madeleine and the lessons we can learn from her character and how she commanded her brothers and a weak force to hold up a fort against the threat of an Iroquois attack in the early-ish days of New France (Canada). I think this is a great story to read with children and talk about what was going on in history and the fighting between the people groups. It was a great middle grade book and major bonus points that this girl really lived and really was able to hold up the fort with most of their men having been captured."

"This historical novel fills in a piece of the American history experience and Canada's background. It was a nice continuation of a book I read about Samuel de Champlain. I thoroughly enjoyed this book because it painted vivid images of what life must have been like about three hundred years ago in New France. Many parts of daily life, survival in a primitive world and what threatened their existence are found in the conversations of the characters.

The main character Madeleine heroically faces problems from both external threats and taking care of the problems between her siblings especially the ones who were prejudice; she is the Christian voice of reason."

EX-LIBRARY hardcover library binding with all the usual marks and stamps, edge marks, still a nice acceptable go-to reading and reference copy of this YA classic!

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Welcome! I'm Mary aka Maryesterday, a gal who has lived as a vintage "time traveler" for over 20 years. The past? I'm there! In order to fuel my passion for all things vintage, forgotten, antique, mysterious, and mid-century modern, I've turned this into my full time business -- I support myself by sharing great finds and lost treasures I unearth in my real-life retro adventures. I'm here on eBay to share them with you.

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