them
discuss the matter together. All Wolfe's projects were for attack
from the lower river; for lying ill and helpless as he was, he had
hardly realized what had been going steadily on ever since that
first successful attempt to get shipping past the town guns and
into the upper reach of the St. Lawrence. Every time there was a
suitable night, with a favouring wind, vessels had run the gauntlet
of the batteries, always covered by a heavy fire from Point Levi;
and now quite a fleet of warships, frigates, and transports lay in
the reach above the town, whilst Montcalm had had to weaken his
camp at Beauport to watch the heights there. For though these were
steep and rugged and inaccessible, it would not do to leave them
unguarded.

When the Brigadiers met in the old farmhouse, Wolfe was up and
dressed for almost the first time, looking gaunt and haggard, his
face lined with pain and care, but full of calm and steadfast
purpose, and with a mind as clear as ever. He was touched by the
warm greetings of his officers, and by their tales as to the
enthusiastic delight in the ranks at the news that their General
was better.

The army was animated by a spirit of great courage and confidence.
The news from Ticonderoga had done good. This had been followed by
tidings of the capture of the Niagara fort. Even though Amherst
could not coalesce with them, they were feeling that English arms
were everywhere invincible, and that even Quebec would not long
stand against them. It would be the greater glory to vanquish it
single-handed; and had they not Wolfe to lead them?

Wolfe could not but smile as he heard this, and then the discussion
began. The Brigadiers had read his alternative proposals; but they
had another to lay before him which they thought more likely of
success. This was to make the real attack above the town,
transporting men and munitions by means of their ships now lying in
the upper reach, and seeking to obtain a footing upon the heights,
from whence they might bombard the upper city, or even carry it by
an impetuous assault.

"We can make a feint of attacking at Beauport, to keep the Marquis
upon the alert there, and his troops from being detached to the
defence of the heights. But let our real assault be on that side,"
advised Moncton, whose position at Point Levi gave him considerable
knowledge of affairs upon the upper river. "It is true that the
heights are watched and guarded, but the force there is not la