fearful
things during the past years, but perhaps they had never before
been quite so near to a battery spouting out its leaden rain in
great broad flashes of lambent flame.

Julian and Fritz could not turn their eyes from the magnificent
sight; but Humphrey, after one glance, turned his upon the dark
waterway, and it was his voice that spoke at last in accents of
keen emotion.

"Here come the ships."

The others could not see for a while--their eyes were dazzled; and
in the roar and rattle of artillery overhead nothing could be heard
of the silent advance of those darkened hulls as they slipped like
ghosts through the water. They were as close to the south bank as
it was safe to keep, and followed Killick's sloop with as much
precision as possible. The strong tide beneath them, and the light,
favouring wind, bore them past at a rate that the spectators had
scarcely expected. They could just descry the dark, looming objects
gliding swiftly and silently along. But would the gunners in Quebec
see them? The onlookers held their breath as the phantom ships
sailed upon their way. They were passing the blazing batteries now,
and the cannonade was more furious than ever. The guns of Quebec
were blazing back. But was the fire directed only at the opposite
heights? or had the flitting sails been seen, and would the iron
rain pour upon the gallant vessels making the daring passage?

Fritz felt such an oppression upon his heart that he could scarce
draw his breath; but moments came and moments went, and the ships
glided unharmed upon their way. They had all passed the batteries
now. They were in the very narrowest part of the channel, just
where the town batteries commanded the passage. Humphrey could
stand it no longer.

"To the boat," he cried, "to the boat! yonder she lies! Let us
follow and make sure, and bring the General word!"

In a moment the three had rushed down, and were running their boat
into the water. Next minute the sail was up, and the light little
craft was cutting through the black river at a gallant pace. Now
she had caught up the last of the silent string of daring cruisers;
now she was gliding by the large warship. All was safe, all was
silent on the water; only overhead the hurtling bombs and balls
roared and boomed. The gunners of Quebec had not sighted the
stealthy ships. The town knew nothing of what was being done under
cover of that furious cannonade. And now the batteries had been
safely pass