len! The news was like new wine in the veins of
Wolfe. Ill as he was, he insisted that Stark should be brought to
his bedside, and he eagerly entreated the bold Ranger to tell him
the whole story.

"There is not so much to tell as there might be," said Stark, "for
the French made no fight, either at Ticonderoga or at Crown Point.
We came with a gallant array against their fortresses, only to find
that the enemy had evacuated them. They tried to blow up
Ticonderoga before they left; but only one bastion was destroyed.
Crown Point was deserted without a blow being struck. I waited for
that, and then made good my word. I said I would be the first to
take the news of the fall of Ticonderoga to General Wolfe at
Quebec."

Wolfe's eyes were shining with excitement.

"Then is General Amherst on his way here with his army?" he asked
eagerly.

Stark shook his head.

"Alas, no! there is still much work to be done. If the French have
abandoned these two forts, it is only that they may concentrate all
their strength at Isle-aux-Noix, where the General must now attack
them. And to do this he must build a brigantine and other vessels;
and though there is a sawmill at Ticonderoga, the work will still
take somewhat long to accomplish. I fear that many weeks will
elapse before he can advance; and meantime--"

He paused, for he scarce knew how to conclude the sentence. He had
heard as he passed through the camp towards Wolfe's quarters that
the outlook was not altogether a bright one, despite the fact that
success had crowned many of the enterprises hitherto undertaken.

Wolfe took up the unfinished sentence and spoke.

"Meantime the winter gales will be threatening us, and if the walls
of Quebec still shut us out, we may be forced to sail to England
with our task yet uncompleted, or to take up our winter quarters in
one of the islands, and wait for better things next spring. Was
that the thought in your mind, John Stark?"

"In truth, sir, as I came along and surveyed the position of the
notable city of Quebec, it seemed to me that it would be a hard
task to bring it to surrender; but then we all know that General
Wolfe can accomplish the impossible if any man can."

A slight smile crossed Wolfe's worn face.

"I look like a man to perform the impossible, don't I, good Stark?"
he said; and the Ranger's eyes filled with pitiful sympathy as he
made answer:

"Indeed, sir, I grieve to find you so; and yet men say that Wolfe
s