this uncomfortable state of affairs to a close."

"Ah, Monsieur, you are very complaisant! but the only way that you
want to take is the capture of our poor city."

"Very true, dear ladies; that is the only end I am willing to
contemplate. And yet, believe me, in desiring this I desire nothing
that shall be for your final discomfiture. I know what the rule of
France is in these parts, and what that of England is also. Believe
me that beneath English government peace and prosperity such as she
has never known before will come to Canada. I believe that the day
will speedily come when you will see this for yourselves."

"I should not wonder," answered the Canadian dame, with a light
laugh; "I am half disposed to think the same myself. His Majesty of
France has not endeared himself to us these many years past. I
should not be broken hearted to see a change of monarch."

The boats pushed off, and Wolfe stood watching them on their way
across the river. His face was grave and thoughtful, and he turned
presently to Fritz with a sigh.

"Poor ladies! I am sorry to send them back to the horrors of the
siege; but it is the only safe place for them.

"And now we must think seriously of our next step. The time is
flying, and we must not let the grass grow under our feet. It is
true what they said last night: we are no nearer taking Quebec than
when we sailed from England months ago. We have frightened and
harassed the foe, but we are not one step nearer the goal."

"And yet we have one ship and several smaller vessels in the upper
river," said Julian; "and where one ship has passed others may do
so."

"Yes; I shall try to bring up other vessels. One never knows what
the chances of war will be. It is well to have the command of the
river both above and below; and if Amherst should form a junction
with us, we may find the fleet above the town of great use. But we
are now at the end of July, and Ticonderoga, though threatened, has
not yet fallen, so far as we know; and even were it to do so
quickly, there will be much for Amherst to do there and at Crown
Point, and a long, long march before he could reach us. We must
face the possibility of having to accomplish this matter with the
forces now at command; and we are in the position now that our camp
is split up into four, and we have no great muster of troops at any
one point. If Montcalm were to make a determined dash at any one of
our camps, he could destroy it before the r