nto order was composed
entirely of regular troops, both flanks were regulars intermixed
with Canadians; and for the Canadian militia in the open he had an
unbounded contempt. Moreover, he noted that instead of waiting
until they were in good and compact order, they began almost
immediately to advance, and that without any of the method and
precision so necessary in an attack upon a well-posted and
stationary foe.

He passed along the word of command to his own officers,
instructing them how to act, and stood watching with the breathless
intensity of a man who knows that the crisis of a mighty destiny is
at hand.

The moment the French soldiers got within range they commenced to
fire; not as one man, in a crashing volley, but wildly,
irregularly, excitedly, uttering cries and shouts the while--a
trick caught from their Indian allies, who used noise as one of
their most effective weapons.

"Bah!" cried Wolfe, with a sudden exclamation of mingled contempt
and amusement; "look there! Saw you ever such soldiers as these?"

Those about him looked, and a hoarse laugh broke from them, and
seemed to run along the ranks of immovable red-coats drawn up like
a wall, and coolly reserving their fire.

The gust of laughter was called forth by the action of the Canadian
recruits, who, immediately upon discharging their pieces, flung
themselves down upon the ground to reload, throwing their
companions into the utmost confusion, as it was almost impossible
to continue marching without trampling upon their prostrate
figures.

"I would sooner trust my whole fate to one company of regulars,"
exclaimed Wolfe, "than attempt to fight with such soldiers as
these! They are fit only for their native forests; and were I in
command, back they should go there, quick march."

Yet still the oncoming mass of French approached, the dropping fire
never ceasing. Nearer and nearer they came, and now were not fifty
paces distant from the English lines.

"Crash!"

It was not like a volley of musketry; it was like a cannon shot.
The absolute precision with which it was delivered showed the
perfect steadiness and nerve of the men. Upon Wolfe's face might be
seen a smile of approbation and pride. This was the way English
soldiers met the foe; this was the spirit in which victory was won.

Another crash, almost as accurate as the first, and a few minutes
of deafening clattering fire; a pause, in which nothing could be
seen but rolling clouds of s