e success of the attack.

It was a hot, dark night, and there was little sleep in the city.
It would be impossible to hear at that distance, even if some
hand-to-hand fighting were to take place on the opposite bank. The
wind set the wrong way, and only if the big guns boomed out would
they be likely to know that the English had been aroused. Eagerly
was the dawn waited for, when the city guns would give the expected
signal; but the dawn came so wrapped in fog, and it was not quite
as early as was expected that the boom and roar from the
fortifications told that the gunners could sight the opposing
batteries. The blanket of fog seemed then to roll up and away,
leaving the glistening river lying like a sheet of silver at their
feet.

But what was the meaning of that crowd of boats all making for the
city as fast as oars and sails could bring them? It was hardly six
o'clock in the morning, and the attack could not well have been
commenced before five. What, then, were they doing, hurrying back
in their boats like hunted hares?

Those with telescopes, watching from the heights above, declared
that the English were pursuing their occupations with the most
perfect unconcern, that they were bringing up more guns, and that
the batteries were now so well planted and defended that the city
guns did no harm. Shell away as they might from Quebec, no effect
was produced upon their solid earthworks; and it was abundantly
evident that very soon they would he in a position to open fire
upon the hapless city. Down to the river level rushed the excited
people, to meet the returning boats. Such a clamour of inquiry,
response, anger, and disappointment arose that at first nothing
could be made out. The midshipmen cleared a path for the Abbe and
Colin through the gathering crowd; and as soon as they were fairly
within the walls of their home, they began to tell the dismal tale.

"It was just a fiasco from first to last!" cried Colin. "It was as
our uncle said: there was no order or discipline or preparation.
One might as well have sent out a pack of children to do the work!"

"What happened?" cried Corinne breathlessly.

"Why, nothing but a series of gross blunders. We got across all
safe, and landed unopposed. The Seminary scholars were over first,
and marched off up the hill before the rest came. We got separated
in that way, and almost at once one felt that a sort of panic had
got hold of the people. The burghers who were so anx