The Acadian Author:Joseph A Maillet, Joseph A. Maillet The Acadian is a true account of a brave young orphan from Paris, France. Eager to get away from the oppressive orphanage, thirteen-year old Jacques enlisted in the French army for duty in the remote outpost of Port Royal, Acadie in what is now called Nova Scotia. He befriended a Micmac Indian scout, named Paul, who taught him survival techniq... more »ues. Following the capture of Port Royal by the British in 1710, the victors could not believe the horrible condition of the survivors of that battle as they emerged from the fort; of the three hundred soldiers on duty when the fort fell, one hundred were boys from twelve to sixteen-years of age, all from orphanages. Refusing to sign an oath of allegiance to the Crown of England the French settlers and their Micmac Indian allies, were ruthlessly persecuted, culminating in the expulsion of the French Canadians who were forced aboard British ships and transported to the colonies where families were split, never to see each other again. Jacques was placed aboard the British sailing ship The Experiment consigned to New York. A journey that should have taken no more than two weeks lasted five months after the ship was damaged in a storm at sea.« less