Fear and indignation were filling all hearts.  Why had Point Levi been so poorly defended?  Why had it been left such an easy prey to the foe?  Who was to blame?  Governor or General—­Vaudreuil or Montcalm?  The balance of opinion was in favour of the General, whose known ability and personal charm had rendered him popular with the citizens, whilst Vaudreuil commanded but little respect or confidence.  Still, whoever was to blame, the fact remained.  The town was in terrible danger of a ruinous bombardment, and the efforts now made to beat back and dislodge the enemy met with no sort of success.

On and on they toiled.  The shot and shell certainly fell amongst them after a while, but seemed in no whit to disconcert them.  The Canadian soldiers regarded with amaze this cool intrepidity.  They themselves could be bold in forest warfare, with shelter all around them; but they were never steady in the open under fire, and could hardly credit how any soldiers could pursue their tasks unmoved by the leaden rain descending upon and about them.

“The devil and his angels must be protecting them!” cried the women, crossing themselves in fear; but the English midshipmen laughed aloud.

“What do they think soldiers are for, if not to do their duty in the teeth of danger and difficulty?  They are a strange people, these Canadians.  Surely the French troops would face peril as steadily if they were put to it?”

“Oh yes,” answered Colin; “the French regulars fight exceedingly well.  Has not that been proved a thousand times on European soil?  But the plaint of our General is that France sends him so few men, and that the Indians and Canadians are not of the same value, save in certain classes of warfare and in their native forests.  The Governor is, however, so jealous for the honour of his Canadians, that he seeks in his dispatches to give all the credit of victory to them.  So it is natural that the French minister should be chary of sending out regulars, which are so urgently needed over there for the war.  Monsieur de Montcalm has told my uncle many things on this very point.  He is always urging the Government to send us more men, but he can only get the half of what he needs.  Perhaps, in days to come, France may regret that she did not listen better to his representations.  We shall have need of good men if this city is to be held for her against the English.”

When the lads reached their home, they found the Abbe and his sister deep in talk.  Corinne had been listening with attention, but now she turned eagerly to the lads, to ask what news they brought.  Their tale was soon told, and all faces were grave.

“It will be a disastrous thing for the city to be bombarded,” said the Abbe.  “It may not bring the capitulation any nearer, but it will harass and dishearten the citizens.  I am truly sorry for them; they will certainly suffer.  It should have been better managed than that those opposite heights should fall so easy a prey to the foe.  Again that is the mismanagement of the Governor.”