14
MacKim knew this was the moment of truth, for as soon as the defenders realised how few Rangers there were, they would rally and repel them by sheer numbers. Kennedy had to rely on confusion and momentum to keep the French unbalanced, for panicking men cannot reason.
Stepping over a writhing regular, MacKim chased after the fleeing French and into the shipbuilding yard. His section followed, cheering like madmen as they spread out.
The officer in command of the yard had not wasted his time. A company of French regulars formed up in two lines, their white uniforms gleaming, their tricorn hats all at an identical angle, and their muskets aligned in perfect symmetry.
“Jesus!” Waite blasphemed, as the French officer rapped a command and every musket lowered to aim at MacKim’s oncoming R
