Madeleine was only 14 years old when the Iroquois raided the family seigneury on the St. Lawrence River near Montreal. Of those working outside the fort, only Madeleine escaped with her life. She ran back to the fort, shouting “To arms! To arms!”
and slammed the gate in the face of her pursuer.
Once inside, she took charge and ordered two terrified soldiers and her younger brother to keep up a regular fire. By giving the Iroquois the impression that the seigneury had a full garrison, she held out for over a week before help arrived.
(For copyright notice click on images)
