CHAPTER III

LE CARON 39

Piggott and Le Caron—How the Major adopted his Alias—Birth and Bringing-up—Puritanical Surroundings—Works in Paris—Volunteers in American Civil War—His Religion—Fenian Movement—Employed by British Government to spy on Fenians—Joins Irish Republican Army as Organiser—An Impromptu Speech—Fenian Movement's Growth—General O'Neill's invasion of Canada—A Generous Cheque from Ottawa—The Clan-na-gael Movement—Le Caron an Active Spirit—_The Irish World_—Influence of the Clan—A Russo-Irish Alliance—Le Caron and Parnell—The Major's real Status—How he won his quasi-Heroic Reputation