ade out it was
composed of sailors, and just as I expected to hear the words which
meant discovery and disgrace, one said to the other in a tone of
authority: "The Seventy-eighth. It's all right!" and without
challenging me they presented arms. Had I even known the password
I could not have pronounced it, for my tongue clave to the roof of
my mouth; but seeing my intent, the man who had spoken stepped
before me and opened the wicket. I raised my hand in acknowledgment,
and passed through.

I was without the walls.

Part III

MAXWELL'S STORY

"_Adieu, paniers, vendange sont faite._" -- Old Proverb.

CHAPTER XXVI

I CLOSE ONE ACCOUNT AND OPEN ANOTHER

Portentous as were its results, I have never been able to look upon
the battle of the 13th of September as adding anything of value to
military knowledge. From a technical view it never attained the
dignity of battle at any point, and only exceeded a skirmish in
the heavy losses and the deaths of the leading generals on each
side.

The recognition of their efforts, and of those who so ably replaced
them by their respective governments and contemporaries, read as
a sorry commentary on the popular distribution of honours.

Wolfe, almost a tyro, at one bound won immortality and immediate
applause from his countrymen; Montcalm, almost a veteran, though
mourned by those about him, was persistently vilified, even after
death, by the very man who should have been his most loyal supporter;
I do not hesitate to name M. de Vaudreuil--and I am not aware of
even a head-stone having been raised to his memory.

On the other hand, his successor, the Chevalier de Levis, met with
fitting reward and honourable advancement in his profession, and
the titles of Duke and Marshal of France are now borne with dignity
by one whose natural nobility of soul renders him eminently worthy
of such honours.

To complete the contrast, the Honourable James Murray, who succeeded
Wolfe, held an unprotected city in an enemy's country throughout
a distressing winter, handled his slender troops with contagious
enthusiasm, fought and lost a desperate battle like a gallant
soldier; later on he governed a conquered people with a consummate
tact, and still serves his country with distinction--to meet with
no other reward, that I ever heard of, than the approbation of his
conscience and the admiration of all honest men.

In writing thus openly I must disclaim any intention of carping,
fo