to Ticonderoga. I left the army on this side of Crown
Point, which has been evacuated, and I have to hand to you a despatch
from de Bourlemaque. There is not a chance of Amherst reaching the St.
Lawrence in time to co-operate with Wolfe."

"Thanks for that, at all events. My news is less cheering: Niagara is
lost."

"I had hoped," said Isidore, "that Pouchot would have been able to hold
out."

"Not so. The English General Prideaux was killed by the bursting of a
shell in his own intrenchments, but Sir William Johnson took the
command, and nothing could withstand that brave and skilful fellow.
Aubrey came to Pouchot's relief with at least a thousand men collected
from the other forts, but was beaten in a pitched battle before the
place, which had to surrender at discretion, and the governor and
garrison were made prisoners, but were allowed to march out with the
honours of war. This and the loss of Frontenac make the English
masters of all the upper country."

"But here," exclaimed Isidore, eagerly, "here we may yet retrieve it
all."

"If it so please God," replied Montcalm; "but though all hope is not
yet gone, our chance is but slender. We have kept the enemy at bay for
nearly two months and a half, and on the last day of July we foiled a
desperate attack which Wolfe made on the Montmorency redoubts yonder.
If we could hold out till winter comes to our aid all would be well,
but I have little hope."

"They are masters of all the right bank, are they not?" interposed
Isidore.

"Yes, for many miles up the river. If I had had my way I would have
thrown a couple of thousand men across and stopped that game, but de
Vaudreuil overruled me at the outset. He is a traitor, and has ruined
us. What can I do with barely three thousand regulars? The Canadian
militia are indeed some five or six thousand strong, but I cannot rely
on them with any certainty, and with such a fleet at his command it is
impossible to say where Wolfe may next assail us. Look at it! A score
of ships of the line, with frigates and transports out of number."

"But they have been here since the end of June and have done nothing.
This bank of the river is absolutely impregnable, and it seems they
cannot force the Montmorency lines."

"It is our last and only chance," replied Montcalm, "and if the worst
should come, a battle before Quebec might save us. I have had,
however, to send away a couple of thousand Canadians to try and save
so