Not citizens alone, but pupils from the seminaries, Canadians from the other shore, and a sprinkling of soldiers had joined the muster.  Every man carried arms, and when they had assembled to the number of between one and two thousand, a loud call was made for the Governor.

When Vaudreuil appeared, looking harassed and anxious, it was explained to him that the burghers of the city demanded leave to make a determined effort to save their houses and property from destruction.  Would the Governor grant them an experienced officer to lead them?  They would then cross the river at night, make a compass round the English camp, and set upon them from behind at dawn, whilst the guns from the town opened fire in front.  Caught thus between two fires, and attacked front and rear, they must quickly be dislodged and annihilated; and the citizens would make themselves masters of these hostile batteries, which they would take good care should never fall into English hands again.

Their request was granted.  An officer of considerable experience, Dumas by name, was told off to head the expedition, and a good many regular soldiers, who volunteered for the service, were permitted to accompany them.

Dearly would the three midshipmen have loved to be of the party, to see all that went on, but they knew they must not make such a suggestion.  They were known in the town as prisoners on parole.  It would appear to all that they meditated escape.  But they urged upon Colin to try to see it all, and bring word again what had befallen.

Colin was nothing loth.  He longed to be in the thick of the struggle.  Moreover, he was well known to the citizens, and was loved for his own sake as well as for that of his uncle the Abbe, who went daily to and fro amongst the agitated people, seeking to calm their fears and to inspire them with courage and hope.

“I will go!” he cried.  “Watch you from this side, and mark how the gunners do their work at dawn.  If all goes well, our signal for attack will be the sound of the guns opening fire upon yonder batteries.  And yet I shall scarcely wish to see the English dislodged.  I do not want our town laid in ruins; yet I truly believe the English rule would be a benefit to this distracted realm.  Their own colonies, if report speaks truth, are far more flourishing and strong than any France has ever planted.  You have the knack of it, you Britons.  Sometimes I doubt whether we shall ever learn it.”

“Don’t say ‘we,’” cried Arthur.  “You are more than half an Englishman already, and we will teach you to be one of us before we have done.  You neither look nor speak nor act like a Frenchie.  Of course here in Quebec, amongst your own acquaintances and friends, you will feel to belong in some sort to them; but once we get you into English ranks, you will soon forget that you ever were anything but an Englishman at heart.”