ice had not entirely broken up. By
stretching from my window, through the bars of which I could get my
head, but not my body, I noted a squadron sailing round the point of
the Island of Orleans. I took it to be a fleet from France bearing
re-enforcements and supplies--as indeed afterwards I found was so; but
the re-enforcements were so small and the supplies so limited that it
is said Montcalm, when he knew, cried out, "Now is all lost! Nothing
remains but to fight and die. I shall see my beloved Candiac no more."

For the first time all the English colonies had combined against Canada.
Vaudreuil and Montcalm were at variance, and Vaudreuil had, through his
personal hatred and envy of Montcalm, signed the death-warrant of the
colony by writing to the colonial minister that Montcalm's agents, going
for succour, were not to be trusted. Yet at that moment I did not know
these things, and the sight made me grave, though it made me sure also
that this year would find the British battering this same Chateau.

Presently there came word from the Governor that I might walk upon the
ramparts, and I was taken forth for several hours each day; always,
however, under strict surveillance, my guards, well armed, attending,
while the ramparts were, as usual, patrolled by soldiers. I could see
that ample preparations were being made against a siege, and every day
the excitement increased. I got to know more definitely of what was
going on, when, under vigilance, I was allowed to speak to Lieutenant
Stevens, who also was permitted some such freedom as I had enjoyed when
I first came to Quebec. He had private information that General Wolfe or
General Amherst was likely to proceed against Quebec from Louisburg, and
he was determined to join the expedition.

For months he had been maturing plans for escape. There was one Clark,
a ship-carpenter (of whom I have before written), and two other bold
spirits, who were sick of captivity, and it was intended to fare forth
one night and make a run for freedom. Clark had had a notable plan.
A wreck of several transports had occurred at Belle Isle, and it was
thought to send him down the river with a sloop to bring back the
crew, and break up the wreck. It was his purpose to arm his sloop with
Lieutenant Stevens and some English prisoners the night before she was
to sail, and steal away with her down the river. But whether or not the
authorities suspected him, the command was given to another.

It