The army was certainly getting rather weary of this inaction.  It was not idle, for Wolfe’s manifesto to the Canadians was now being enforced.  Supplies were wanted for the troops, and the inimical Canadians were forced to supply them.  Indeed, great numbers of these harassed and undecided inhabitants of the disputed territory were glad enough to be made prisoners by the English and sent on board their transports for safety.  Their cattle, of course, fell a prey to the invaders; but they were in so much peril of robbery from the Indians that this was a small matter.  When once within Wolfe’s camp their lives were safe, and no ill treatment was permitted; and to some of the wretched Canadians this had become a boon.  It was small wonder they were growing sick and weary of the war, and would have welcomed either nation as conqueror, so that they could only know again the blessings of peace and safety.

Yet something more definite must be attempted; Wolfe was more and more determined upon that.  It was difficult to know how best to attack an enemy so strongly intrenched and so well able to repulse attack; yet his men were burning with ardour, and his own spirit was hot within him.  He sometimes felt as though his feeble body would not much longer be able to endure the strain put upon it.  The cracked pitcher may go once too often to the well.  To die in the service of his country was what Wolfe desired and expected for himself; but he wished that death might come to him in the din and excitement of the battle, and in the hour of victory; not by the hand of disease, whilst his aim and object was yet unaccomplished.

“We must fight!” he said to Julian, as he took his way back to his camp at the Montmorency; “we must seek to bring the enemy to close quarters.  We shall fight at terrible disadvantage, I well know; we shall suffer heavy loss.  But I would back a hundred of our brave fellows against a battalion of Canadian militia.  We must try conclusions with them somehow, and by a concerted attack, both from Montmorency and from the strand, seek to effect something, even if it be only to affright and dishearten them.”

The soldiers were ready and eager to be allowed a fling at the foe.  They were full of ardour and enthusiasm, for so far every attempt made had been vigorously and successfully carried out, and they began to have an idea that Wolfe could not be frustrated in any scheme of his.

To attack the city itself was obviously impossible under present conditions, They could never get a footing near those solid walls and ramparts.  But the camp along the Beauport shore was more vulnerable.  If they could effect a landing there, they might rush one or more of the batteries, and bring about a general engagement.  It was impossible, as it happened, for Wolfe to estimate the full strength of the French position; but he knew that the task would be no light one, even though he could not see that there were batteries upon the heights above.