ke Ontario cut French dominion in America in two.
Henceforth there was no highway from New France to Louisiana. In
September, Abercrombie was recalled. Amherst became chief commander.

Wolfe had gone home to England ill. It was while sojourning at the
fashion resort, Bath, that he fell desperately in love with a Miss
Lowther, to whom he became engaged. Then came the summons from Pitt to
meet the cabinet ministers in the war office of London. Wolfe was
asked to take command of the campaign in 1759 against Quebec. It had
been his ambition in Louisburg to proceed at once against Quebec. Here
was his opportunity. {261} It need not be told, he took it. Amherst
now, on the field south of Lake Champlain, received 10 pounds a day as
commander in chief. For the greater task of reducing Quebec, Wolfe was
to receive 2 pounds a day. Under him were to serve Monckton,
Townshend, and Murray. Admiral Saunders was to command the fleet.
Wolfe advised sending a few ships beforehand to guard the entrance to
the St. Lawrence, and Durell was dispatched for this purpose long
before the main armaments set out. By April 30 the combined fleet and
army were at Halifax, Wolfe with a force of some 8500 men. Wolfe, now
only in his thirty-third year, had been the subject of such jealousy
that he was actually compelled to sail from Louisburg in June without
one penny of ready money in his army chest. Underling officers, whose
duty it was to advance him money on credit, had raised difficulties.

[Illustration: GENERAL JAMES WOLFE]

Cheers and cheers yet again rent the air as the fleet at last set out
for the St. Lawrence, the soldiers on deck shouting themselves hoarse
as Louisburg faded over the watery horizon, the officers at table the
first night out at sea drinking toast after toast to _British colors on
every French fort in America_.

At Quebec was fast and furious preparation for the coming siege.
Bougainville had been sent to France from Lake Champlain in 1758 with
report of the victory at Ticonderoga. In vain {262} he appealed for
more money, more men for the coming conflict! The French government
sent him back to Quebec with a bundle of advice and platitudes and
titles and badges and promotions and soft words, but of the sinew which
makes war, men and money, France had naught to spare. The rumor of the
English invasion was confirmed by Bougainville. Every man capable of
bearing arms was called to Quebec except the small