“I trust so,” said Humphrey grimly; “it is time indeed.  I know what these attacks against Louisbourg will mean for those along the frontier—­death, disaster, more Indian raids, less power of protection.  The Governor will draw off the levies which might come to their assistance for the work at Louisbourg.  The French will hound on the Indians to ravage more and more.  We shall hear fresh tales of horror there before the end comes.”

“Which we will avenge!” spoke Wolfe, between his shut teeth.  “It shall not always be said of England that she slept whilst her subjects died!”

With the turn of the year active preparations began to be discussed, and Wolfe to receive letters from headquarters.  All was now excitement in that household, for there was no doubt that England’s great minister was going to take active measures, and that the day of tardy blundering was to be brought to an end.

Wolfe was found one day in a state of keen excitement.

“I have heard from Mr. Pitt myself!” he cried, waving the paper over his head.  “He has taken the great resolve, not only to check the aggressions of France upon the border, but to sweep her out from the Western world, till she can find no place for herself there!  That is the spirit I delight in; that is the task I long to aid in; that is the one and only thing to do.  Leave her neither root nor branch in the world of the West!  If we do, she will be a thorn in our side, a upas tree poisoning the air.  Let Canada be ours once for all, and we have no more to fear!”

Humphrey and Julian exchanged glances of amaze.  Such a scheme as this seemed to smack of madness.

“You think it cannot be done, my friends?  England has done greater feats before.”

“But there is Quebec,” said Julian gravely; “I have heard that it is a fortress absolutely impregnable.  And Quebec is the key of Canada.”

“I know it,” answered Wolfe, with a light in his eyes, “I know it well.  I have seen drawings; I have heard descriptions of it.  That it will be a nut hard to crack I do not doubt.  But yet—­but yet—­ah, well, we may not boast of what we will do in the future.  Let it suffice us first to take Louisbourg from the foe.  But that once done, I shall know no rest, day or night, till I stand as victor at the walls of Quebec!”

Chapter 2:  Louisbourg.

“Do not leave Gabarus Bay until I have effected a landing!”

So spoke Admiral Boscawen; and when the word was known, a cheer ran through the squadron from end to end.

Brigadier Wolfe had struggled up upon deck, looking white and ghostlike, for he had suffered much during the voyage; but when that word reached him, the fire leaped into his eyes, and he turned an exultant look upon his friends, and exclaimed: 

“That is an excellent good word; that is the spirit which inspires victory!”

Yet it was no light thing which was to be attempted, as no one knew better than Wolfe himself; for he had been out in a boat upon the previous day with Major General Amherst and his comrade Brigadier Lawrence, reconnoitring the shore all along the bay, and they had seen how strongly it was commanded by French batteries, and how difficult it would be to land any body of troops there.