ir part would
draw away the French troops from the frontier, and thus relieve the
colonists from any pressing anxiety; but although there had been
little definite news from the fleet so far, it began to be reared
that the Admirals had mismanaged matters, and that no blow would be
struck this season.

September had come--a hot, sunny, summer-like month in England. But
Wolfe had heard something of the rock-bound coasts of Cape Breton,
and he was well aware that if the furious equinoctial gales should
once threaten the English fleet, no Admiral would be able to
attempt an action by sea, or even the landing of the troops.

Young Wolfe had one friend out With the expedition, and from him he
had received a letter only a short time ago, telling him of all the
delays and procrastinations which were already beginning to render
abortive a well-planned scheme. It made his blood boil in his veins
to think how the incapacity of those in command doomed the hopes of
so many to such bitter disappointment, and lowered the prestige of
England in the eyes of the whole civilized world.

"If Pitt could but have a free hand, things would be different!"
exclaimed Wolfe again, speaking aloud, as is the fashion of lonely
men. "But the King is beginning to value and appreciate him, and
the nation is learning confidence. The time will come--yes, the
time will come! Heaven send that I live to see the day, and have a
hand in the glorious work!"

As he spoke these words he observed a certain excitement amongst
the dogs playing around him, and guessed that their quick ears had
caught sounds of an arrival of some sort. In a few minutes' time
his servant approached him, bearing a letter which he handed to his
master, who opened it and cast his eyes over its contents.

"Are the two gentlemen here?" he asked.

"Yes, sir; they asked that the letter might be given to you, and
that they might wait until you had read it."

"Then show them out to me here, and bring us coffee," said Wolfe,
whose face had put on a look of considerable eagerness and
animation; and as the servant retired towards the house, the
soldier remained looking after him, as though wistful to catch the
first glimpse of the expected guests.

In a few minutes they appeared in the wake of the servant. Both
were quietly dressed in sober riding suits; but there the
resemblance ended. One of the pair was a very tall man, with fair
hair cut short all round his head, and a pair of large