Three days after Montcalm’s death matters reached a crisis.  Troops were seen approaching the Palace Gate from the St. Charles meadows, and the ships of war were slowly nearing the town with evident intention of opening fire.

All the city was in a state of uncontrollable fright and agitation.  The officers crowded round Ramesay’s quarters declaring that they could do nothing with their men; that the men said they knew that orders had been given to avoid assault, and that they were threatening to carry their guns back to the arsenal, and desert bodily to the English.  So disgusted and disheartened were they by the action of the Governor and his army that they had no fight left in them.

“Raise the white flag then!” said the Commander, in brief, stern tones.

Was it a cheer or a groan which arose from the town as the symbol of surrender was seen floating above the battlements?  Once it was torn down by some more ardent spirit; but again it floated high, and the people gazing up at it gesticulated and wept, though whether for sorrow or joy they could scarce have told themselves.

It was known that a messenger had gone forth to confer with the English commander, and the negotiations were drawn out hour after hour, in the hope of some succour from without; till a stern message came back that if they were not signed within an hour, the assault would be ordered.

Then Ramesay signed, having secured more favourable terms than he had dared to hope for.  The capitulation of Quebec was an accomplished fact!

Yet even whilst the people were still thronging the streets and open places by the gateway, a band of weary horsemen were seen spurring towards the city.  As the foremost entered he cried: 

“Courage, good friends, courage!  Help is at hand!  The army is marching to your defence!  Quebec shall yet be saved!”

Alas!  Quebec had fallen.  Sobs and groans went up from the women, and curses from the men.  There was a rush for Ramesay’s quarters to tell the news and ask what could be done; but the Chevalier’s face was stern and hard.

“Nothing can be done,” he said.  “You have had your own will.  You have signed away your city.  Honour will not permit me to break my word.  Besides, how can we trust an army which has basely deserted us once?  If they would not attack the foe before he had had time to intrench and fortify himself, how can we hope that they will have courage to brave the assault of a formidable intrenched camp defended by artillery?

“Go back whence you came, sirs, and tell the Governor, if you will, that his cowardice and desertion have done their work.  Quebec is lost to France for ever, and Canada will follow.  He could have saved it four days ago had he had the heart of a soldier or the head of a statesman; now it is lost irrevocably!”

Chapter 3:  Friendly Foes.

Quebec was taken; it had surrendered without a blow when once the battle upon the heights above had ended in the overthrow of the French army.