The idea of effecting a passage of the city and forming a camp, or at least a flotilla, above the town was a matter which afforded much discussion and excitement throughout the English ranks.  The daring of it appealed to all hearts, and the sailors when they heard it were keen for the enterprise, confident of success were only a dark night to be chosen for the attempt.  Old Killick, with his hands in his pockets, rolled up and down his deck, chewing a quid of tobacco, and giving his opinions on the subject.

“Pass Quebec! bless you, my dears, I’ll undertake to pass the town guns any hour of the day or night you like to send me.  What a rout they did make, to be sure, about their old river!  They make just such a rout about their precious guns!  What English ship ever feared to pass a French battery yet?  Give me a capful of wind, and I’ll undertake to get my boat past whilst the Frenchies are trying to get their guns pointed low enough to sink me!  The soldiers have been having their turn for a bit; it’s time we had one now.  We’ve had nothing to amuse us since those pretty fireworks the Frenchies were kind enough to get up for us the other week!  Oh that they should think to scare us with such toys as that!  Oh my, what fools some men can be!”

With Wolfe resolution was speedily followed by action.  No sooner had he made up his mind what he meant to do than preparations were instantly set on foot.  He came down in person to inspect the fleet, and discuss with the Admirals what ships should be chosen for the service.  Finally, the Sutherland was selected as the ship to run the gauntlet, on account of her sailing capacities and the excellence of her sailing master and crew.  A frigate was to accompany her, and several smaller vessels, one of which, to his great satisfaction, was Killick’s; and he was permitted to lead the way, as his shrewdness and skill in nautical matters were well known throughout the fleet.

Colonel Carleton, a promising and experienced officer, was in charge of the troops.  But Wolfe himself could not be far away.  He was to watch everything from Point Levi, and in the event of success to superintend the passage overland of the flotilla of boats; and in one of these he purposed himself to join the expedition in the upper river, and make a careful survey of the defences there.

Dearly would he have liked to make one of the daring party who were to run the gauntlet of the French batteries, but he knew his responsibilities as General of the forces too well to expose himself rashly where he could not take the lead.  He must trust to the sailors for this thing; his turn would come later.

All was in readiness.  The selected vessels were lying at anchor, ready to loose from their moorings when the sun had sunk.  Wolfe in his light boat, managed by Humphrey and Fritz, had made a tour of inspection, and was now speeding across the water towards Point Levi, up the heights of which several additional powerful guns had been carried earlier in the day to assist in the cannonade planned for the night.