ent view of the
citadel and town. He was amazed at the strength of the place. In
one sense of the word it was well nigh impregnable. From the water
it could scarcely be touched; but the ridges above, now in the
possession of the English, were a source of weakness and peril; and
now that the enemy was pushing nearer and nearer, under cover of
their own guns, it was plain that the position was becoming one of
grave peril. A very little more and the English would be able to
shell the whole town and fortress from the land side; and though
the soldiers within the citadel were full of hope and confidence,
the townsfolk were becoming more and more alarmed, and spoke openly
together of the probable fall of the place.

They told Julian much that he desired to know, as did also the
soldiers within the citadel. He was listening to them, when a
sudden cry reached them, and a cheer went up, mingled with cries of
"Vive Madame! vive Madame le General!"

Julian looked round, and saw that Madame Drucour had come out upon
the ramparts, and was preparing with her own hands to fire off one
of the great guns. This she did amid the applause of the soldiers,
and the man standing beside Julian said with enthusiasm:

"Madame comes here every day, no matter the weather or the firing,
and walks round the ramparts, and fires off one or more of the
guns, to keep us in heart. She is a brave lady. If all soldiers and
townsfolk had her spirit, there would be no talk of surrendering
Louisbourg."

Chapter 3: Victory.

"Julian! Is that you I see? Truly I had begun to fear that some
misfortune had befallen you. So you have been within the walls of
the town, and have returned safe and sound? Your face is a very
welcome one, my friend!"

Wolfe stretched out his hand, which was eagerly grasped by Julian.
It was a still, close evening, and the sullen booming of the guns
continued without abatement. So used had the ears of besiegers and
besieged grown to that sound of menace, that it was hardly heeded
more than the roar of the surf upon the shore.

Wolfe was lying in his tent, looking white and worn, as was
generally the case after the labours of the day were ended. His
indomitable spirit bore him gallantly through the working hours of
the long, hot days; but night found him exhausted, and often too
suffering to sleep. Julian had been his best companion at such
times as these, and he had missed him a good deal these past days.

"I have been w