ave to send a contingent there to watch
us. Whether we have any reasonable hope of getting at the city in
that way, I cannot yet tell; I know too little of the character of
the ground. But at least we shall have won a strategic victory in
getting our ships past the guns of Quebec; and we shall cause
consternation and alarm there, even if nothing else."

"I will cover the movement with all the power of my guns," cried
Moncton eagerly; "and if the thing can be done, our sailors will do
it; they are in no whit afraid of the enemy's guns. And look--if
the ships get through, why not let our red-coats and blue-jackets
drag a fleet of boats across the base of this Point Levi, along the
low ground yonder, and launch them in the river above, where they
can join the ships and bring them reinforcements of men? Then we
shall have means of transporting men and provisions to these
vessels, and the sight of them upon their upper river will further
dishearten the citizens of Quebec, who have been very well punished
already by our guns."

"Yes," answered Wolfe. "I would sooner have shattered the citadel
than the houses and convents; but we must e'en do what we can in
this game of war. But your idea is excellent, Moncton. If the ships
succeed in making the passage, the boats shall certainly be brought
across, as you suggest. It will be a strategic triumph for us, even
though we do not reap immediate fruit from it. And if once Amherst
can march to join us, it will be everything to have shipping in the
upper river."

"And you are hopeful that he will?"

"If he can make good his position upon the lakes and in the west. I
have information that things are going well for us there; but so
far no definite news of the capture of Ticonderoga has reached us.
It is rumoured that Niagara is attacked, and is likely to pass into
our hands. There is no doubt that the French all along the western
boundary are in extremity. If Quebec goes, all will go; they will
have no heart to hold out. But, on the other hand, if we are beaten
here, and are forced to retreat unsuccessfully, it will have a
great moral effect throughout Canada."

"Canada is becoming very half-hearted towards its French masters,"
said Moncton. "We hear a good deal from prisoners brought to the
camp by our scouts. We had one brought in the other day--a cunning
old rascal, but by no means reticent when we had plied him with
port wine. He said that they were sick to death of the strugg