g the paper
over his head. "He has taken the great resolve, not only to check
the aggressions of France upon the border, but to sweep her out
from the Western world, till she can find no place for herself
there! That is the spirit I delight in; that is the task I long to
aid in; that is the one and only thing to do. Leave her neither
root nor branch in the world of the West! If we do, she will be a
thorn in our side, a upas tree poisoning the air. Let Canada be
ours once for all, and we have no more to fear!"

Humphrey and Julian exchanged glances of amaze. Such a scheme as
this seemed to smack of madness.

"You think it cannot be done, my friends? England has done greater
feats before."

"But there is Quebec," said Julian gravely; "I have heard that it
is a fortress absolutely impregnable. And Quebec is the key of
Canada."

"I know it," answered Wolfe, with a light in his eyes, "I know it
well. I have seen drawings; I have heard descriptions of it. That
it will be a nut hard to crack I do not doubt. But yet--but
yet--ah, well, we may not boast of what we will do in the future.
Let it suffice us first to take Louisbourg from the foe. But that
once done, I shall know no rest, day or night, till I stand as
victor at the walls of Quebec!"

Chapter 2: Louisbourg.

"Do not leave Gabarus Bay until I have effected a landing!"

So spoke Admiral Boscawen; and when the word was known, a cheer ran
through the squadron from end to end.

Brigadier Wolfe had struggled up upon deck, looking white and
ghostlike, for he had suffered much during the voyage; but when
that word reached him, the fire leaped into his eyes, and he turned
an exultant look upon his friends, and exclaimed:

"That is an excellent good word; that is the spirit which inspires
victory!"

Yet it was no light thing which was to be attempted, as no one knew
better than Wolfe himself; for he had been out in a boat upon the
previous day with Major General Amherst and his comrade Brigadier
Lawrence, reconnoitring the shore all along the bay, and they had
seen how strongly it was commanded by French batteries, and how
difficult it would be to land any body of troops there.

To their right, as they looked shorewards, stood the town and grim
fortress of Louisbourg, boldly and commandingly placed upon the
rocky promontory which protects one side of the harbour, running
out, as it were, to meet another promontory, the extremity of which
is called Lightho