es; and away on the left, in the middle of
the vast, sea-like river, could be distinguished the western end of
the Isle of Orleans.

Earthworks, batteries, redoubts seemed to bristle every where.
Squadrons of men, like brilliant-hued ants, moved to and fro upon
the plains below. The tents of the camp stretched out in endless
white spots; and the river was dotted with small craft of all sorts
conveying provisions to the camp, and doing transport duty of all
kinds.

"He will be a bold man who faces the fire from our batteries, I
think," said Montcalm, looking with a calm complacency upon the
animated scene; and then he turned and pointed backwards behind him
to Cape Diamond, fringed with its palisades and capped by parapet
and redoubt.

A bold foe indeed to face the perils frowning from every height
upon which the eye could rest. Madame Drucour's face slowly
brightened as she took in, with eyes that were experienced in such
matters, the full strength of the position occupied by the city of
Quebec.

"In truth, I scarce see how the enemy could effect a landing
anywhere--could even attempt it," she said. "And yet we said the
same at Louisbourg--till they landed where none of us thought they
could do, and took us in the rear!"

And her eyes sought the steep, precipitous banks of the river after
the town had been passed, as though asking whether any landing
could be effected there, if some ships should succeed in the daring
attempt to pass the guns of the town, and find anchorage in the
upper river.

Montcalm followed her glance with his, and seemed to read the
thought in her heart.

"All these heights will be watched," he said. "Although I have no
fear of any vessel being foolhardy enough to attempt the passage, or
clever enough to succeed in passing the guns of the fortifications,
I shall leave no point unwatched or unguarded. Quebec shall not
fall whilst I have life and breath! If the victor marches into the
city, it will be across my dead body!"

Later upon that very day a fresh excitement occurred. Madame
Drucour and her niece and nephew were in the pleasant upper room of
their house, talking over the things they had seen and heard that
day, when the clamour in the street below roused them to the
consciousness that something unwonted was afoot; and Colin ran
below, eager to know what the matter could be. In a few minutes he
returned, his face full of animation and eager interest.

"They have taken three pr