,
or have their city hopelessly cut off from the basis of their
supplies. Wolfe knew that at last the hour had come, and his pale
face flushed with a strange exultation as he saw the first white
lines advancing towards him.

"At last!" he exclaimed--"at last! We have waited many months for
this moment; now that it has come, pray Heaven we may strike a blow
for England's honour which France shall never forget!"

Julian's attention was distracted by the sight of a little knot of
men coming slowly towards the rear, where the surgeons were
stationed to care for the wounded, who were to be carried there
when possible.

"It is Fritz!" he exclaimed; "he has been wounded!"

Wolfe uttered an expression of concern, and stepped forward to
inquire. It had been the regiment in command of Fritz which had
been sent to silence the sharpshooters in the farms and copses.
John Stark had gone with him, their former life as Rangers having
well qualified them for this species of warfare. Fritz was now
being led back, white and bloody, one ball having lodged in his
shoulder, and another in his foot. He walked with difficulty,
supported by two of his men.

"I am grieved to see you so!" cried Wolfe, with the ready concern
he showed in any sufferings not his own.

"It is naught," answered Fritz, faintly but cheerfully; "I would
care no whit but that it will keep me from the fight.

"I have left John Stark in command, sir," he added to the General;
"the men are perfectly steady when he directs their movements."

Wolfe nodded. He knew the intrepidity and cool courage of the
Ranger. There would be no blundering where Stark held the command.

"Care for your patient well," said the young General to a surgeon
who came hurrying up at the moment; "Captain Neville is too good a
soldier and officer for us to lose."

Then turning to Humphrey, who was acting in the capacity of
aide-de-camp, he said in a quick undertone:

"If anything should happen to me in the battle, let Brigadier
Moncton know that I recommend Captain Neville for promotion."

Then he turned his attention towards the oncoming tide of battle,
knowing that the great crisis for which he had been waiting all
these long months was now upon him.

The French were forming up along the opposite ridge, which hid the
city from view. Wolfe took in their disposition at a glance, and a
grim smile formed itself upon his lips. He saw that though the
centre of the three bodies forming up i