welcome anyone who has known and loved
her son, I have to visit her immediately; come at least with me so
far. After that we will learn where Monsieur Drucour is to be
found, and I will seek him out and bring him to you."
So the matter was settled, and the Abbe gave his approval. He
himself would remain in Quebec, the friend and counsellor of the
victorious English, whom he could not but regard with affection and
respect.
Of the Brigadiers in command, Moncton was too much shattered to do
aught but go home to recover of his wounds; Townshend was resolved
to sail back, to receive the compliments and honours of the victory
(since Wolfe had passed beyond these things); and Murray was left
in command of Quebec.
There had been some talk of destroying it rather than facing the
perils of keeping it in its shattered condition, and with a French
army so near. But English pluck had scorned this policy, and
already the men were hard at work repairing its defences, and
storing away a sufficient supply of provisions for the long,
inclement winter that lay before them.
"We may have to fight for it yet," spoke some as they cheerfully
worked at their fascines; "but we have got Quebec, and we mean to
keep it, let the French storm and rage as they will. If we could
take it from them almost without a blow, surely we can keep it now
we have it!"
Chapter 4: The Last.
"Fritz, Fritz! what do you think? Who do you think has come to
Quebec? Why, my brother-in-law, good Benjamin Ashley, together with
his wife and daughter. They have come in charge of a trim little
vessel, laden with provisions, sent as a gift from the citizens of
Philadelphia to the victors of Quebec. He has charge of the cargo,
I mean, not of the sloop; and he says he has come to stop, but I
had no time to hear all his story. Others were flocking about him,
and he had letters for the commanding officer. I hastened away to
find you and tell the news. Let us go back together and learn more
of this thing."
Into Fritz's face there had leaped a look of quick and keen
interest.
"Benjamin Ashley," he repeated, "with his wife and daughter! Is
little Susanna actually here in Quebec?"
"Yes, and my sister," cried Humphrey eagerly, "looking but little
changed from the day I left her in Philadelphia months ago. And
their first inquiry after kissing me was for you, Fritz. Had you
escaped the perils of the war? how were you? and were you here in
the town also?"
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