Madeleine Takes Command by Ethel C.

Brill

Madeleine Takes Command

by Ethel Brill
Reading Schedule:
Day 1 _______________, read chapter 1 and answer questions
Day 2 _______________, read chapters 23 and answer questions
Day 3 _______________, read chapter 4 and answer questions
Day 4 _______________, read chapters 56 and answer questions
Day 5 _______________, read chapters 78 and answer questions
Day 6 _______________, read chapters 910 and answer questions
Day 7 _______________, read chapters 1112 and answer questions
Day 8 _______________, read chapters 1314 and answer questions
Day 9 _______________, read chapters 1516 and answer questions
Day 10 _______________, read chapters 1719 and answer questions
Day 11 _______________, read chapter 20 and Epilogue and answer
questions

EVERY DAY answer at least one of the BEFORE READING questions.

EVERY DAY answer at least three AFTER READING questions. If it has a * next to it, you must answer
that question

Madeleine Takes Command by Ethel C. Brill

Chapter 1 (pp 113) Left to Hold the Fort

Characters:

Setting:
WHERE ________________________________________________
WHEN ______________________________________________
AFTER READING:
Which brother is more reckless? ____________________________
How old is Madeleine? ____________________________
Where is Madame de Verchres going? _______________________

1688 map of New France

How big is the estate (seigneury)? ____________________________

Which Indians invaded Montreal and the surrounding areas in New France?
_________________________________________________________________________________
Who leaves in the canoes with Madame de Verchres? __________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
How did the farmers work in the fields if there was a constant threat of an attack by the Indians?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Where is Madeleines father? __________________________________
What is a bastion?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

Madeleine Takes CommandbyEthelC.Brill

Chapter2(pp1426)MadeleineAssumesCommandandChapter3(pp2735)TheStoryofFatherDollier
Characters:

BEFOREREADING:

Writeaboutareallygoodstoryteller.Whyisheorsheyourfavoritestoryteller?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Tellaboutatimewhenyouhadtochoosebetweenkeepingapromisetoafriendandkeepingapromiseto
yourfamily.Whatdidyouchoose?Why?_______________________________
AFTERREADING:
WhereisMadeleinesfather?______________________________________________________________
Whoistheoldmanwhocomesintothehouse?______________________________________
Whatrepairisneededonthepalisade?______________________________________
Whatmemberoftheirfamilywaskilledthepreviousyear?_________________________________
Fora14yroldgirl,Madeleineseemstobeconfidentinherauthorityattheseigneury.Whydoyouthink
sheissoconfident?Doesthescripturepassagefrom2Timothy1:7helpyou?How?
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and selfcontrol.~2Timothy1:7
_______________________________________________________________________________________
WhodidLouispromisehelpto?________________________________
WhatwereMadeleine,Nanette,andLavioletteworkingtogethertomaketoday?_____________
WhatstorydotheboysandMadeleinewantLaviolettetotell?________________________________
InPhilippians4:13,weread,I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.Another
translationis"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."(NIV).HowdoesthisScripture
passagerelatetoFatherDollier?
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Madeleine Takes CommandbyEthelC.Brill

Chapter4(pp3645)LouisDesertsHisPost
Characters:__________________________________and__________________________________
BEFOREREADING:
Ifyouwereanhabitant,wouldyoubewillingtoworkforfreeonthepalisadewall?Whyorwhynot?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Tellaboutatimewhenyouoranyofyoursiblingseverbeenlostofmissingfromyourfamily.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
AFTERREADING:
Whatisacorve?________________________________________________________________________
WhydoesMadeleinetellLouisthathemaynotorderacorve?__________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
WhowasLouiswithwhenhedisappears?__________________________________

Madeleine Takes CommandbyEthelC.Brill

Chapter5(pp4656)MadeleineIsAnxiousandChapter6(pp5766)TheIroquois
BEFOREREADING:
Tellaboutatimewhenyouoranyofyoursiblingseverbeenlostofmissingfromyourfamily.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
TellaboutatimewhenyouprayedtoMary.Whatdidyouaskfor?TellwhyyouknewMarywastheoneto
ask.___________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
AFTERREADING:
WhywasMadeleinesoanxious?__________________________________
WhowerethealliestotheFrench?__________________________________
WhoclearedthewayforthewesternIndianstotradefursagain?________________________________
WhydidntthemenandboysofVerchresjustshootgameforfoodandfurs?_______________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
WhatdidLouishavewithhimwhenhereturned?__________________________________
ReflectontheScriptureverseLuke15:24,because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;
he was lost, and has been found.Doyouseeanysimilaritytothischapter?Whyorwhynot?
_______________________________________________________________________________________

WhatitemdoesLouisgiveuptoMadeleinetoshowthatheispunishinghimself?____________________
DoyouthinkitmightbedangerousforLouistobewithouthisknife?Whyorwhynot?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
WhatsounddidMadeleineandLaviolettehearthatmadethemrunbacktothestockade?_____________
TowhomdoesMadeleineprayforhelp?____________________________________________
All generations will call me blessed":"TheChurch'sdevotiontotheBlessedVirginisintrinsictoChristian
worship."TheChurchrightlyhonors"theBlessedVirginwithspecialdevotion.Fromthemostancienttimesthe
BlessedVirginhasbeenhonoredwiththetitleofMotherofGod,'towhoseprotectionthefaithfulflyinalltheir
dangersandneeds....Thisveryspecialdevotion...differsessentiallyfromtheadorationwhichisgiventothe
incarnateWordandequallytotheFatherandtheHolySpirit,andgreatlyfostersthisadoration."Theliturgical
feastsdedicatedtotheMotherofGodandMarianprayer,suchastherosary,an"epitomeofthewholeGospel,"
expressthisdevotiontotheVirginMary.~CCC971

DoesMadeleinesdevotiontotheBlessedMothertellyouthatsheisCatholicorProtestant?Howcanyou
tell?
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Madeleine Takes CommandbyEthelC.Brill

Chapter7(pp6776)DefenseandChapter8(pp7784)TheSortie
Characters:

BEFOREREADING:
Thinkaboutatimewhenyoudisobeyedyourparentsoranotherauthorityfigure.Whenyouwerecaught,
howdidyoufeel?Sad?Disappointedinyourself?Ashamed?Angry?Contrite?Whatdidyoudoabout
yourwrongdoing?_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Haveyoueverhadtocrossabusystreetwithnocrosswalk?Wereyouscared?Tellwhathappened.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
AFTERREADING:
WhatwasLouisdoingwhiletheIndianswereattacking?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
WhydoLouisandMadeleinebelievethatthesentrieshavedesertedthem?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
HowdoesMadeleinewantthemtoacttolettheIndiansthinkthattherearemoreofthemthanthere
reallyare?_____________________________________________________________________________
WhathappenedwhenMadeleineshotthemusket?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
WhatwasoneofthethingsMadeleinetoldthewomentodointheblockhouse?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
WhydidMadeleinewalkinsteadofruntothecanoeandback?___________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
DidMadeleinesplantofooltheIndianswork?___________________________________
Whatfamilywasinthecanoe?______________________________________________________________
WhatjobsdidMadeleinegivetothemenandboys?___________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Madeleine Takes CommandbyEthelC.Brill

Chapter9(pp8596)ReinforcementandChapter10(pp97105)NightandStorm
BEFOREREADING:
Tellaboutapersonyouhaveknownthatyoucouldtrustcompletely.Whoisitandwhyaretheyso
trustworthy?____________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Tellaboutatimewhenyouthoughtyousaworheardsomethingthatscaredyou.Diditturnouttobe
nothing?Whatwasit?Whydoyouthinkyouwerescaredofit?__________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
AFTERREADING:
WhywasitagoodthingthatAlexandre(Sandre)playedhisdrum?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
WhatdoesFontainesaywillsavethem?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Whenisthemostperiloustime?__________________________________
2 Say to the LORD, "My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust." 3 God will rescue you from the
fowler's snare, from the destroying plague, 4 Will shelter you with pinions, spread wings that you may
take refuge; God's faithfulness is a protecting shield. 5 You shall not fear the terror of the night nor the
arrow that flies by day, ~ Psalm91:4
InspiteofherobviousfaithinGod,doyouthinkMadeleineisafraidgoingintothatfirstnight?Whyorwhy
not?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
WhatdidMadeleinewanttoprayforinthechapel?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
WhydidMadeleineshout,Alliswell!overandoverwiththeothers?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Whydidtheyrisklettinginthecows?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
HowdidLavioletteknowthetimefromthestars?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Whywasthetimejustbeforedawnthemostdangerous?
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Madeleine Takes CommandbyEthelC.Brill

Chapter11(pp106118)ALongDayandChapter12(pp119127)ADaringAdventure
Characters:___________________________________________________
BEFOREREADING:
Didyoueverhaveabaddreamornightmare?Tellaboutitandtellhowitmadeyoufeel.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Tellaboutatimewhenyoudidntgetenoughsleepduringthenight.Howdiditmakeyoufeelthenext
day?Whatdidyoudoaboutit?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
AFTERREADING:
MadeleinenoticedthesmokefromtheIndiansfiresinthewoods.Whatdidshethinkabouttherebeing
NOsmokecomingfrominsidethefort?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
WherewasMargueriteFontaineborn?________________________________
WheredoesMargueriteFontainewanttoescapeto?___________________________________________
WhodoesMadeleinesayshouldbeallowedtorestfirstandwhy?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
WhydidLouiswanttochopdownthebushes?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
WhydoesMadeleinenotwanttoaskFontainetohelpcutdownthebushes?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
WhydidLaviolettegaspwhenhewascuttingdownbushes?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
DidLouisandLaviolettegetenoughbushescutdowntoseethatsideofthepalisadeclearly?___________

Madeleine Takes CommandbyEthelC.Brill

Chapter13(pp128136)WaitingandWatchingandChapter14(pp137143)TheFireBearer
BEFOREREADING:
Tellaboutatimewhenyouwereworriedaboutyourparents(oneofthemorboth).Whatdidyoudoto
calmyourworries?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Haveyoueverwitnessedafire(notafireplace,butafireoutofcontrol)?Wasitscaryforthepeople
closesttothefire?Ifyouhavenotwitnessedafire,whatdoyouthinkyouwoulddoifyousawafire
burningoutofcontrol?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
AFTERREADING:
WhobroughtdinnertoMadeleine?________________________________________
DescribetheIndianthattheynoticedonpatroloutsidethefort.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
WherewereMadeleinesparents?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
HowdidLouisdescribetheMohawksonthethirdmorning?_____________________________________
Whatsoundsweretheylisteningforafterthesunwentdownontheovercastsky?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
WhydidntLouisshoottheIndianwhostartedthefirethefirsttime(withthemusket)?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
WhatdidtheIndianlightonfire?____________________________________________________________
WhydidLouisstayinthebastioneventhoughithadbeensetonfire?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Whatdidtheysaytheyneedtokeepineverybastionfromnowon?_______________________________
TheycalloutAlliswell!frequently.Doyouthinkthishasaneffectontheirstateofmind,evenwhenall
isnotwell?
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Madeleine Takes CommandbyEthelC.Brill

Chapter15(pp144153)TheRefugeeandChapter16(pp154163)Warning
BEFOREREADING:
Howdoyoufeelwhentheweatheroutsideisfierce,windy,andrough?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Tellaboutatimewhenyoudreadedsomethingawfulabouttohappen.Howdidyoufeelwhileyou
waited?Whatdidyoudotopassthetimewhileyouwaited?Whatwastheawfulthing?Diditturnoutto
besoawful?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Whatdoyoudotogetreadyforaspecialoccasion,likeEasterSundayMassorChristmasdinner?Be
descriptive!
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
AFTERREADING:
WhatwasLouisplantofindoutiftheMohawkIndianswerestillwatchingfromthenearbywoods?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Whoreturnstothefortatnight?_____________________________________________
WhoelseescapedfromtheMohawkcamp?_________________________________
WheredidAntoinego?_____________________________________________________
Howmuchtimedidtheyhavetowaitfortheattack?_____________________________________
WhoisOnontio?_____________________________________________________
HowdidAntoineandJacquesescape?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Whoistheonlyonewhoknowshowtofirethecannon?_________________________________________
WhyisntAlexandreafraidtodie?
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Madeleine Takes CommandbyEthelC.Brill

Chapter17(pp164170)BraveHeartsAwaittheDawnandChapter18(pp171181)SoundsFromthe
RiverandChapter19(pp182192)MadeleineResignsHerCommand
BEFOREREADING:
Tellaboutatimewhenyouprayedandfeltbetterimmediatelyafterpraying.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Haveyoueverarrivedtoadestinationandfoundthingstobedifferentfromthewayyouexpectedthemto
be?Howweretheydifferent?Wasitgoodorbadthattheyweredifferent?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Tellaboutatimewhenyouwerereallytiredanddirty(aftercamping,hiking,playingoutside).Howdidit
feeltogetcleanedupandsleepinyourbedafterthat?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
AFTERREADING:
WhydoyouthinktheIndiansdidntattackasthemissionIndianhadsaidtheywould?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
God indeed is my salvation; I am confident and unafraid. For the LORD is my strength and my might,
and He has been my salvation.~Isaiah12:2
ThisabouttheScripturefromIsaiah.HowdoesMadeleinehandlebeingwearyanddisheartened?

_______________________________________________________________________________________
FontaineandMadeleinediscoverwhytheIndiansdidntattackthenightbeforewhydidntthey?

_______________________________________________________________________________________
WhatwasMadeleineworriedhadhappenedtoAntoine?

_______________________________________________________________________________________
WhathappenedtoMadeleinewhenshewentinthemanorhouseaftermidnighttogetabowlofsoup?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
WhocametogetMadeleine?_____________________________________
Whoarrivedatthefort?____________________________________________
WhosentLaMonnerie?____________________________________________
WhyisLaMonneriesosurprisedthatonlyMadeleine(14),Louis(12),Alexandre(10),Laviolette(80),
Fontaine,Gatchet,andLaBontweredefendingthefort?
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Madeleine Takes CommandbyEthelC.Brill

HowmanymendidLaMonneriebringwithhim?____________________
WhatdidMadeleinedoforthefirsttimeinaweek?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Whowasrescuedandreturned?_____________________________________
WhydoesntLouistrusttheChristianIndians?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
WhatdoesMadeleinegivebacktoLouis?____________________________________________
WhatdoesLouiscallhissister?_______________________________________________

Madeleine Takes CommandbyEthelC.Brill

Chapter20(pp193198)PeaceOnceAgain
BEFOREREADING:
Tellaboutatimewhenoneorbothofyourparentswereaway(eitheroutofthehouseoronatrip).How
didyoufeelwhiletheyweregone?Howdidyoufeelwhentheyreturned?________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
AFTERREADING:
Whatnewsdidthemessengerbring?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
HowdidMadeleinesfatherfindoutaboutthesiegeandheractions?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
WhydidMadeleinecrywhenhermother(Maman)returned?
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Optional Special Projects:

WITHYOURPARENTS,gototheInternetandlookup
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madeleine_de_Verch%C3%A8resorsearchforMadeleinede
Verchresonwww.wikipedia.org
WITHYOURPARENTS,gototheInternetandlookupSeigneurialSystemofNewFranceon
www.wikipedia.org
WITHYOURPARENTS,gotomaps.google.comandlocateVerchresinCanadaontheSaint
LawrenceRiver,betweenMontrealandQuebec
Buildamodelofthefort,ordrawapictureofwhatyouthinkitlookedlike
Ifyouhadyourownfortorseigneury,whatwouldyourflaglooklike?Designaflaganddrawitona
largepieceofpaper,posterboard,orawhitepillowcase(withyourparentspermission,ofcourse!)

Madeleine Takes CommandbyEthelC.Brill

Vocabulary
seigneur=landlordofseigneuryorfarmlandinNewFrance
capote=hoodedgreatcoatratherlikeaparka,usuallywornwithasasharoundthewaist,popularwithhabitantsof
NewFranceandFrenchCanadiantradersandtrappers.ThewordisderivedfromtheFrenchwordfor"cape."
seigneury=longnarrowstripoflandextendingofftheSaintLawrenceRiver

TheseigneurialsystemwasintroducedtoNewFrancein1627byCardinalRichelieu.Underthissystem,thelandswere
arrangedinlongnarrowstrips,calledseigneuries,alongthebanksoftheSt.LawrenceRiver.Eachpieceofland
belongedtothekingofFranceandwasmaintainedbythelandlord,orseigneur.
TheseigneurialsystemwasintroducedbecausetheSt.LawrenceRiverwassomethinglikethe"HighwayofNew
France".Theriverprovidedwaterandameansoftransportation,whichenabledsettlerswithlandalongtheSt.
Lawrencetobesuccessful.Landalongtheriver,therefore,wasmuchindemand.

garrison=abodyoftroopsstationedinaparticularlocationforthepurposeofguardingit
habitants=tenantsontheseigneuryland
stockade=simpleformsofdefenseofmilitarycampsor
settlements
bastion=structureprojectingoutwardfromthemainenclosureof
afortification,situatedinbothcornersofastraightwall
mademoiselle(Mamselle)=TheFrenchlanguageequivalentof
"miss"(ma="my"+demoiselle="littlelady"or"mygirl")
sieur=atitlefortheseigneur,orlord
adjacent=__________________________________________
___________________________________________________
palisade=typicallyafenceorwallmadefromwoodenstakesand
usedasadefensivestructure

stalwart=anadjectivesynonymouswith"strong"
rheumatism=anonspecifictermformedicalproblemsaffectingthejointsandconnectivetissue
monsieur(messieurs(Msieu))= mon sieur,literally"mylord"
__________________________=____________________________________________________________________
__________________________=____________________________________________________________________
__________________________=____________________________________________________________________
__________________________=____________________________________________________________________
__________________________=____________________________________________________________________

Madeleine Takes CommandbyEthelC.Brill

ANSWERKEY:
Chapter1(pp113)LefttoHoldtheFort
Characters:MadamedeVerchres,Madeleine(14),Alexandre(10),Louis(12),Jean,Anglique,Cathrine,
SieurFranoisJarretdeVerchres(Seigneur),Nanette,Gatchet,LaBont
Setting:
WHEREamanorhouseontheSaintLawrenceRiverinNewFrance;
countryestate(seigneury)
WHENOctober1692
AFTERREADING:
Whichbrotherismorereckless?Louis

HowoldisMadeleine?14

1688mapofNewFrance

WhereisMadamedeVerchresgoing?Montreal

http://digilander.libero.it/debibliotheca/Arte/Vincenzo%20Coronelli_fil
e/page_01.htm

Howbigistheestate(seigneury)?18squaremiles
WhichIndiansinvadedMontrealandthesurroundingareasinNewFrance?Iroquois,Mohawks,Senecas,
Oneidas,
WholeavesinthecanoeswithMadamedeVerchres?Jean,Angelique,Catherine,andtheneighboring
seigneur
HowdidthefarmersworkinthefieldsiftherewasaconstantthreatofanattackbytheIndians?Theyall
worktogetherinonefield,notjusttheirown.Theyhavemilitaryguardswiththem.Theycooperateand
worktogether,movingtogetherfromfieldtofield.
WhereisMadeleinesfather?Itdoesntsay!
Whatisabastion?

Madeleine Takes CommandbyEthelC.Brill

Chapter2(pp1426)MadeleineAssumesCommand
Characters:Laviolette,JacquesBrunet&hisfather(blacksmith),Antoine(habitantwithhurtleg),Franois
(brotherwhowaskilledatage16byIndians)
BEFOREREADING:
Writeaboutareallygoodstoryteller.Whyisheorsheyourfavoritestoryteller?
_______________________________
AFTERREADING:
WhereisMadeleinesfather?EnlistedinmilitaryserviceuntilreleasedbyGovernordeFrontenac
Whoistheoldmanwhocomestotheseigneury?Laviolette
Whatrepairisneededonthepalisade?Someofthepicketsarerottedandneedreplacing
Whatmemberoftheirfamilywaskilledthepreviousyear?Franois(16yroldbrother)
Fora14yroldgirl,Madeleineseemstobeconfidentinherauthorityattheseigneury.Whydoyouthink
sheissoconfident?Doesthescripturepassagefrom2Timothy1:7helpyou?How?
ForGoddidnotgiveusaspiritofcowardicebutratherofpowerandloveandselfcontrol. ~2Timothy1:7

Chapter3(pp2735)TheStoryofFatherDollier
Characters:FatherDollier
BEFOREREADING:
Tellaboutatimewhenyouhadtochoosebetweenkeepingapromisetoafriendandkeepingapromiseto
yourfamily.Whatdidyouchoose?Why?_______________________________
AFTERREADING:
WhodidLouispromisehelpto?JacquesBrunet
WhatwereMadeleine,Nanette,andLavioletteworkingtogethertomaketoday?bread
WhatstorydotheboysandMadeleinewantLaviolettetotell?AboutFatherDollieratSte.Anne
InPhilippians4:13,weread,Ihavethestrengthforeverythingthroughhimwhoempowersme.Another
translationis"Icandoeverythingthroughhimwhogivesmestrength."(NIV).HowdoesthisScripturepassage
relatetoFatherDollier?

Madeleine Takes CommandbyEthelC.Brill

Chapter4(pp3645)LouisDesertsHisPost
Characters:AntoineGiffardandMarie(hisfiance)
BEFOREREADING:
Ifyouwereanhabitant,wouldyoubewillingtoworkforfreeonthepalisadewall?Whyorwhynot?
__________________________________
AFTERREADING:
Whatisacorve?thelegalrightoftheseigneurtoalimitedamountoffreelaborfromhistenantsor
habitants.
WhydoesMadeleinetellLouisthathemaynotorderacorve?BecauseinFrance(notNewFrance),
seigneursabusedthisrightandwereoppressiveintheiruseoftenantsandhabitants.
WhowasLouiswithwhenhedisappears?JacquesBrunet
Chapter5(pp4656)MadeleineIsAnxious
BEFOREREADING:
Tellaboutatimewhenyouoranyofyoursiblingseverbeenlostofmissingfromyourfamily.
______________________________
AFTERREADING:
WhywasMadeleinesoanxious?Somanypeoplehadbeenattackedandkilledortakenprisonerbythe
Iroquois
WhowerethealliestotheFrench?Algonquin,Huron,andOttawaIndians
WhywerethesettlersnearMontrealunabletotradefurswiththeirIndianallies?TheotherIndianswere
afraidoftheIroquoisandwouldntgonearMontreal
WhoclearedthewayforthewesternIndianstotradefursagain?GovernordeFrontenac
WhydidntthemenandboysofVerchresjustshootgameforfoodandfurs?Ammunitionhadtobe
sparedtodefendthepeopleattheestate.
WhatdidLouishavewithhimwhenhereturned?fishfordinner
ReflectontheScriptureverseLuke15:24,becausethissonofminewasdead,andhascometolifeagain;hewas
lost,andhasbeenfound.Doyouseeanysimilaritytothischapter?Whyorwhynot?_________________

Madeleine Takes CommandbyEthelC.Brill

Chapter6(pp5766)TheIroquois
BEFOREREADING:
TellaboutatimewhenyouprayedtoMary.Whatdidyouaskfor?TellwhyyouknewMarywastheoneto
ask.__________________________________________________________
AFTERREADING:
WhatitemdoesLouisgiveuptoMadeleinetoshowthatheispunishinghimself?hisknife
DoyouthinkitmightbedangerousforLouistobewithouthisknife?Whyorwhynot?
WhatsounddidMadeleineandLaviolettehearthatmadethemrunbacktothestockade?musketshot
TowhomdoesMadeleineprayforhelp?BlessedVirgin,MotherMary
All generations will call me blessed":"TheChurch'sdevotiontotheBlessedVirginisintrinsictoChristian
worship."TheChurchrightlyhonors"theBlessedVirginwithspecialdevotion.Fromthemostancienttimesthe
BlessedVirginhasbeenhonoredwiththetitleofMotherofGod,'towhoseprotectionthefaithfulflyinalltheir
dangersandneeds....Thisveryspecialdevotion...differsessentiallyfromtheadorationwhichisgiventothe
incarnateWordandequallytotheFatherandtheHolySpirit,andgreatlyfostersthisadoration."Theliturgical
feastsdedicatedtotheMotherofGodandMarianprayer,suchastherosary,an"epitomeofthewholeGospel,"
expressthisdevotiontotheVirginMary.~CCC971

DoesMadeleinesdevotiontotheBlessedMothertellyouthatsheisCatholicorProtestant?Howcanyou
tell?
Chapter7(pp6776)Defense
BEFOREREADING:
Thinkaboutatimewhenyoudisobeyedyourparentsoranotherauthorityfigure.Whenyouwerecaught,
howdidyoufeel?Sad?Disappointedinyourself?Ashamed?Angry?Contrite?Whatdidyoudoabout
yourwrongdoing?______________________
AFTERREADING:
WhatwasLouisdoingwhiletheIndianswereattacking?guardingthegapinthewallleftbytherotten
pickets
WhydoLouisandMadeleinebelievethatthesentrieshavedesertedthem?Theyhaventshotamusketor
cannonsincetheIndiansbegantheirattack.
HowdoesMadeleinewantthemtoacttolettheIndiansthinkthattherearemoreofthemthanthere
reallyare?byputtingtheirgunthroughoneholetoshoot,thenanother,andbyshoutingandtalkingto
themselves.
WhathappenedwhenMadeleineshotthemusket?shenearlyfelldownbecauseoftherecoilofthegun.
Shewasusedtoshootingwithapistol,whichissmaller.

Madeleine Takes CommandbyEthelC.Brill

Chapter8(pp7784)TheSortie
Characters:PierreFontaine,hiswife,his3children(Anne,aboy,andMarie)
BEFOREREADING:
Haveyoueverhadtocrossabusystreetwithnocrosswalk?Wereyouscared?Tellwhathappened.
AFTERREADING:
WhatwasoneofthethingsMadeleinetoldthewomentodointheblockhouse?Stopcrying,cleanand
loadweapons,laughandactliketheresnothingtobeafraidoftofooltheenemy.
WhydidMadeleinewalkinsteadofruntothecanoeandback?TomaketheIndiansthinkitwasatrickto
drawthemclosertotherangeofthemusketsinsidethefort.
DidMadeleinesplantofooltheIndianswork?yes,untilthegirlandherbrotherran
Whatfamilywasinthecanoe?PierreFontaine,hiswifeand3children(Anne,boy,Marie)
WhatjobsdidMadeleinegivetothemenandboys?LaBontwasinthebastionwiththecannon,
LavioletteandLouiswereintheotherbastion;GatchetandAlexandrewerepatrollingthepalisadewalls.

Chapter9(pp8596)Reinforcement
BEFOREREADING:
Tellaboutapersonyouhaveknownthatyoucouldtrustcompletely.Whoisitandwhyaretheyso
trustworthy?___________________________________________
AFTERREADING:
WhywasitagoodthingthatAlexandre(Sandre)playedhisdrum?BecauseittrickedtheIndiansinto
thinkingthatanarmyofsoldierswasabouttomarchout.
WhatdoesFontainesaywillsavethem?Notourstrengthbutourwitsmustsaveus.
Whenisthemostperiloustime?night
2SaytotheLORD,"Myrefugeandfortress,myGodinwhomItrust."3Godwillrescueyoufromthe
fowler'ssnare,fromthedestroyingplague,4Willshelteryouwithpinions,spreadwingsthatyoumay
takerefuge;God'sfaithfulnessisaprotectingshield.5Youshallnotfeartheterrorofthenightnorthe
arrowthatfliesbyday,~Psalm91:4
InspiteofherobviousfaithinGod,doyouthinkMadeleineisafraidgoingintothatfirstnight?Whyorwhy
not?

Madeleine Takes CommandbyEthelC.Brill

Chapter10(pp97105)NightandStorm
BEFOREREADING:
Tellaboutatimewhenyouthoughtyousaworheardsomethingthatscaredyou.Diditturnouttobe
nothing?Whatwasit?Whydoyouthinkyouwerescaredofit?
AFTERREADING:
WhatdidMadeleinewanttoprayforinthechapel?deliveryoftheseigneuryoutofthehandsofthe
enemy;strengthandcourageforherbrothersandherself
WhydidMadeleineshout,Alliswell!overandoverwiththeothers?TomaketheIndiansthinkthatafull
garrisonwasonpatrol.
Whydidtheyrisklettinginthecows?Theymightbeneededformilkormeat,andLaviolettethoughtthat
ifIndianswerenearenoughtotrytosneakinwiththecowsthatthecowswouldbespookedandnot
grazingcalmly.
HowdidLavioletteknowthetimefromthestars?Thestarsareincertainpositionsatcertaintimesandcan
helptellthetime.Peopleatthetimeknewthestarswell.
Whywasthetimejustbeforedawnthemostdangerous?ThatisthefavoritetimefortheMohawksto
attack

Madeleine Takes CommandbyEthelC.Brill

Chapter11(pp106118)ALongDay
Characters:Marguerite(PierreFontaineswife)
BEFOREREADING:
Didyoueverhaveabaddreamornightmare?Tellaboutitandtellhowitmadeyoufeel.
Tellaboutatimewhenyoudidntgetenoughsleepduringthenight.Howdiditmakeyoufeelthenext
day?Whatdidyoudoaboutit?
AFTERREADING:
MadeleinenoticedthesmokefromtheIndiansfiresinthewoods.Whatdidshethinkabouttherebeing
NOsmokecomingfrominsidethefort?SheworriedthattheIndianswouldthinktherearentasmany
theretodefendthefort.
WherewasMargueriteFontaineborn?Paris
WheredoesMargueriteFontainewanttoescapeto?Sorel,oneofthekingsforts
WhodoesMadeleinesayshouldbeallowedtorestfirstandwhy?LavioletteandAlexandre,becausethey
aretheoldestandyoungest.
WhydidLouiswanttochopdownthebushes?BecauseitwouldbetooeasyfortheIndianstosneakup
undercoverofthebushesandgetcloseenoughtothepalisadewalltosetitonfire.

Chapter12(pp119127)ADaringAdventure
BEFOREREADING:

AFTERREADING:
WhydoesMadeleinenotwanttoaskFontainetohelpcutdownthebushes?Becauseitisdangerousandif
hewerekilledorcaptured,hewouldbeleavingbehindafamily.
WhydidLaviolettegaspwhenhewascuttingdownbushes?heslippedandfellinthegully
DidLouisandLaviolettegetenoughbushescutdowntoseethatsideofthepalisadeclearly?yes

Madeleine Takes CommandbyEthelC.Brill

Chapter13(pp128136)WaitingandWatching
BEFOREREADING:
Tellaboutatimewhenyouwereworriedaboutyourparents(oneofthemorboth).Whatdidyoudoto
calmyourworries?
AFTERREADING:
WhobroughtdinnertoMadeleine?Nanette
DescribetheIndianthattheynoticedonpatroloutsidethefort.tall,broadshoulderedfellow,
fantasticallypaintedwithzigzagstripesofredandblackandwithabunchofredfeathersinhisscalplock.
WherewereMadeleinesparents?HerfatherisinQuebecandhermotheriseitherinMontrealoronher
waybackfromMontreal.
HowdidLouisdescribetheMohawksonthethirdmorning?packofcowards

Chapter14(pp137143)TheFireBearer
BEFOREREADING:
Haveyoueverwitnessedafire(notafireplace,butafireoutofcontrol)?Wasitscaryforthepeople
closesttothefire?Ifyouhavenotwitnessedafire,whatdoyouthinkyouwoulddoifyousawafire
burningoutofcontrol?
AFTERREADING:
Whatsoundsweretheylisteningforafterthesunwentdownontheovercastsky?footsteps,rattling
weapons
WhydidntLouisshoottheIndianwhostartedthefirethefirsttime(withthemusket)?Themusketmis
firedandhehadtotrytoshoothimwithapistol
WhatdidtheIndianlightonfire?thebastionthatLouiswasin
WhydidLouisstayinthebastioneventhoughithadbeensetonfire?Hethoughtitwasadistraction,so
hestayedtowatchouttheloopholewindows
Whatdidtheysaytheyneedtokeepineverybastionfromnowon?water
TheycalloutAlliswell!frequently.Doyouthinkthishasaneffectontheirstateofmind,evenwhenall
isnotwell?

Madeleine Takes CommandbyEthelC.Brill

Chapter15(pp144153)TheRefugee
BEFOREREADING:
Howdoyoufeelwhentheweatheroutsideisfierce,windy,andrough?
Tellaboutatimewhenyoudreadedsomethingawfulabouttohappen.Howdidyoufeelwhileyou
waited?Whatdidyoudotopassthetimewhileyouwaited?Whatwastheawfulthing?Diditturnoutto
besoawful?
AFTERREADING:
WhatwasLouisplantofindoutiftheMohawkIndianswerestillwatchingfromthenearbywoods?Heput
apumpkinonastickwithasoldiershatontopofitandwalkeditalongsothatitbarelyshowedoverthe
palisadewall.WhentheMohawksfiredatthehead,theyknewtheywerestilloutthereandtheycould
notrelaxtheirvigilance.
Whoreturnstothefortatnight?JacquesBrunet
WhoelseescapedfromtheMohawkcamp?Antoine
WheredidAntoinego?toSoreltogethelpforVerchres
Howmuchtimedidtheyhavetowaitfortheattack?Only56hours

Chapter16(pp154163)Warning
BEFOREREADING:
Whatdoyoudotogetreadyforaspecialoccasion,likeEasterSundayMassorChristmasdinner?Be
descriptive!
AFTERREADING:
WhoisOnontio?GovernordeFrontenac
HowdidAntoineandJacquesescape?Antoineburnedhisropesonacoalfromthefireandthenuntied
Jacquesatnightwhentheywerentbeingwatched
Whoistheonlyonewhoknowshowtofirethecannon?LaBont
WhyisntAlexandreafraidtodie?FatherDolliersaysGodismercifultothosewhoarebraveanddotheir
best.

Madeleine Takes CommandbyEthelC.Brill

Chapter17(pp164170)BraveHeartsAwaittheDawn
BEFOREREADING:
Tellaboutatimewhenyouprayedandfeltbetterimmediatelyafterpraying.
AFTERREADING:
WhydoyouthinktheIndiansdidntattackasthemissionIndianhadsaidtheywould?
Godindeedismysalvation;Iamconfidentandunafraid.FortheLORDismystrengthandmymight,and
hehasbeenmysalvation.~Isaiah12:2
HowdoesMadeleinehandlebeingwearyanddisheartened?Shegoestothechapeltoprayforstrength
andcourage
FonatineandMadeleinediscoverwhytheIndiansdidntattackthenightbeforewhydidntthey?
BecausetheextraIndianswhoweretravelingtocomehelphadntarrivedyet
WhatwasMadeleineworriedhadhappenedtoAntoine?shewasworriedthathehadbeenkilledor
captured,buthadnotreachedSoreltogethelp

Chapter18(pp171181)SoundsFromtheRiver
BEFOREREADING:
Haveyoueverarrivedtoadestinationandfoundthingstobedifferentfromthewayyouexpectedthemto
be?Howweretheydifferent?Wasitgoodorbadthattheyweredifferent?
AFTERREADING:
WhathappenedtoMadeleinewhenshewentinthemanorhouseaftermidnighttogetabowlofsoup?
Shefellasleep!
WhocametogetMadeleine?Jacques
Whoarrivedatthefort?MonsieurdelaMonnerieandhismen
WhosentLaMonnerie?thegovernorDeCallires
WhyisLaMonneriesosurprisedthatonlyMadeleine,Louis,Alexandre,Laviolette,Fontaine,Gatchet,and
LaBontweredefendingthefort?BecauseMadamedeVerchresthoughttherewere10militiamenthere
toguardthem,notonlythe2whowereleft.

Madeleine Takes CommandbyEthelC.Brill

Chapter19(pp182192)MadeleineResignsHerCommand
BEFOREREADING:
Tellaboutatimewhenyouwerereallytiredanddirty(aftercamping,hiking,playingoutside).Howdidit
feeltogetcleanedupandsleepinyourbedafterthat?
AFTERREADING:
HowmanymendidLaMonneriebringwithhim?40
WhatdidMadeleinedoforthefirsttimeinaweek?tookahotbath,dressedupfordinner,combedher
hair
Whowasrescuedandreturned?Antoine
WhydoesntLouistrusttheChristianIndians?Becauseoneofthemrelishedinthenotionoftheattackon
thefortwhenhespoketoAntoineandJacquesattheMohawkcamp
WhatdoesMadeleinegivebacktoLouis?Hishuntingknife
WhatdoesLouiscallhissister?Moncapitaine

Chapter20(pp193198)PeaceOnceAgain
BEFOREREADING:

AFTERREADING:
Whatnewsdidthemessengerbring?MadamedeVerchreswasreturningthenextday
HowdidMadeleinesfatherfindoutaboutthesiegeandheractions?PierreFontaineandhiswifewentto
Quebecandtoldhimaboutherbraveryandtheiractions.
WhydidMadeleinecrywhenhermother(Maman)returned?Sheknewshefeltsafe

Optional Special Project:

Withyourparents,gototheInternetandlookup
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madeleine_de_Verch%C3%A8resorsearchforMadeleinedeVerchreson
www.wikipedia.org.
Gotomaps.google.comandlocateVerchresinCanadaontheSaintLawrenceRiver,betweenMontreal
andQuebec.