aled to all hearts, and the sailors when they
heard it were keen for the enterprise, confident of success were
only a dark night to be chosen for the attempt. Old Killick, with
his hands in his pockets, rolled up and down his deck, chewing a
quid of tobacco, and giving his opinions on the subject.

"Pass Quebec! bless you, my dears, I'll undertake to pass the town
guns any hour of the day or night you like to send me. What a rout
they did make, to be sure, about their old river! They make just
such a rout about their precious guns! What English ship ever
feared to pass a French battery yet? Give me a capful of wind, and
I'll undertake to get my boat past whilst the Frenchies are trying
to get their guns pointed low enough to sink me! The soldiers have
been having their turn for a bit; it's time we had one now. We've
had nothing to amuse us since those pretty fireworks the Frenchies
were kind enough to get up for us the other week! Oh that they
should think to scare us with such toys as that! Oh my, what fools
some men can be!"

With Wolfe resolution was speedily followed by action. No sooner
had he made up his mind what he meant to do than preparations were
instantly set on foot. He came down in person to inspect the fleet,
and discuss with the Admirals what ships should be chosen for the
service. Finally, the Sutherland was selected as the ship to run
the gauntlet, on account of her sailing capacities and the
excellence of her sailing master and crew. A frigate was to
accompany her, and several smaller vessels, one of which, to his
great satisfaction, was Killick's; and he was permitted to lead the
way, as his shrewdness and skill in nautical matters were well
known throughout the fleet.

Colonel Carleton, a promising and experienced officer, was in
charge of the troops. But Wolfe himself could not be far away. He
was to watch everything from Point Levi, and in the event of
success to superintend the passage overland of the flotilla of
boats; and in one of these he purposed himself to join the
expedition in the upper river, and make a careful survey of the
defences there.

Dearly would he have liked to make one of the daring party who were
to run the gauntlet of the French batteries, but he knew his
responsibilities as General of the forces too well to expose
himself rashly where he could not take the lead. He must trust to
the sailors for this thing; his turn would come later.

All was in readiness. The select