This was the decision he arrived at when the morning dawned upon him, lying despairing in his cot.

Chapter 21:  The Capture Of Quebec.

On the day on which he received James’ report, Wolfe issued his orders for the attack.  Colonel Burton, at Point Levi, was to bring up every man who could be spared, to assist in the enterprise, and that officer accordingly marched to the spot indicated for embarkation, after nightfall, with 1200 men.

As night approached, the main fleet, under Admiral Saunders, below Quebec, ranged itself opposite Beauport, and opened a tremendous cannonade, while the boats were lowered, and filled with sailors and marines.  Montcalm, believing that the movements of the English above the town were only a feint, and that their main body was still below it, massed his troops in front of Beauport, to repel the expected landing.

To Colonel Howe, of the Light Infantry, was given the honour of leading the little party, who were to suddenly attack Vergor’s camp, at the head of the path.  James Walsham, knowing the way, was to accompany him as second in command.  Twenty-four picked men volunteered to follow them.  Thirty large troop boats, and some boats belonging to the ships, were in readiness, and 1700 men took their places in them.

The tide was still flowing, and, the better to deceive the French, the vessels and boats were allowed to drift upwards for a little distance, as if to attempt to effect a landing above Cap Rouge.  Wolfe had, that day, gained some intelligence which would assist him to deceive the enemy, for he learned that a number of boats, laden with provisions from Quebec, were coming down with the tide.

Wolfe was on board the Sutherland.  He was somewhat stronger than he had been for some days, but felt a presentiment that he would die in the approaching battle.  About two o’clock, the tide began to ebb, and two lanterns—­the signal for the troops to put off—­were shown in the rigging of the Sutherland.

Fortune favoured the English.  Bougainville had watched the vessels, until he saw them begin to drift down again with the stream, and, thinking that they would return again with the flood, as they had done for the last seven days, allowed his weary troops to retire to their camp.  The battalion of Guienne, instead of encamping near the heights, had remained on the Saint Charles; and Vergor, an incapable and cowardly officer, had gone quietly to bed, and had allowed a number of the Canadians under him to go away to their village, to assist in getting in the harvest.

For two hours, the English boats drifted down with the stream.  As they neared their destination, they suddenly were challenged by a French sentry.  An officer, who spoke the language replied, “France.”

“A quel regiment?”

“De la reine,” the officer replied, knowing that a part of that regiment was with Bougainville.  The sentry, believing that they were the expected provision boats, allowed them to pass on.