“I wish we had a few more officers trained to this sort of warfare,” General Wolfe said.  “Send him on board the Sutherland tomorrow.  I have some service which he is well fitted to carry out.”

James accordingly repaired on board the Sutherland, and was conducted to the general’s cabin.

“General Monckton has spoken to me in high terms of you, Lieutenant Walsham, and he tells me that you have been several times mentioned in despatches, by the generals under whom you served; and you were with Braddock as well as with Johnson, Howe, and Abercromby, and with Monro at the siege of Fort William Henry.  How is it that so young an officer should have seen so much service?”

James informed him how, having been pressed on board a man of war, he had been discharged, in accordance with orders from home, and, hearing that his friends were going to obtain a commission for him, in a regiment under orders for America, he had thought it best to utilize his time by accompanying General Braddock as a volunteer, in order to learn something of forest warfare; that, after that disastrous affair, he had served with Johnson in a similar capacity, until, on his regiment arriving, he had been selected to drill a company of scouts, and had served with them on the lakes, until the corps was broken up when the regiment sailed for Canada.

“In fact, you have seen more of this kind of warfare than any officer in the army,” General Wolfe said.  “Your special services ought to have been recognized before.  I shall have you put in orders, tomorrow, as promoted to the rank of captain.  And now, I am about to employ you upon a service which, if you are successful, will give you your brevet majority.

“There must be some points at which those precipices can be climbed.  I want you to find out where they are.  It is a service of great danger.  You will go in uniform, otherwise, if caught, you would meet with the fate of a spy; but at the same time, even in uniform you would probably meet with but little mercy, if you fell into the hands of the Canadians or Indians.  Would you be willing to undertake such a duty?”

“I will try, sir,” James said.  “Do you wish me to start tonight?”

“No,” the general replied.  “You had better think the matter over, and let me know tomorrow how you had best proceed.  It is not an enterprise to be undertaken without thinking it over in every light.  You will have to decide whether you will go alone, or take anyone with you; when and how you will land; how you will regain the ships.  You will, of course, have carte blanche in all respects.”

After James had returned on shore, he thought the matter over in every light.  He knew that the French had many sentries along the edge of the river, for boats which, at night, went over towards that side of the river, were always challenged and fired upon.  The chance of landing undetected, therefore, seemed but slight; nor, even did he land, would he be likely, at night, to discover the paths, which could be little more than tracks up the heights.