Chapter XIX
Wolfe makes his Last Attempt
"Listen to that, boys. There is music for you," said Mr. Mainwaringsome weeks after he, Steve, and the two trappers had set out for NewYork. "Listen to our guns, and do not say after this that we shall betoo late. Quebec is not to be taken in a day. The city is one of thevery strongest, and has a big army to defend it. I said long ago thatwe should be in time to see and take part in the crowning act of thiscampaign."
"And you've stuck to that through thick and thin, Judge," chimedin Jim, standing at the rail of the ship, and looking his old selfagain, for the hunter was dressed at this moment just as he had beenon that day when we first made his acquaintance. Steve, too, was inhis trapper's clothing, looking taller and broader now after his manymonths of campaigning, and bearing on his face more character perhapsthan ever before, for the anxieties of command had developed thenatural self-assurance which he had possessed from the first.
"I am delighted to feel that we are here at last, and in time, too,father," he said. "I confess that I had doubts about reaching Quebecbefore the city was taken, for we have been so long delayed. Buthere we are, and, of course, the very first thing will be to seek aninterview with the general. I have my letter, and that should gain aninterview for me. As to the city being easily captured, I am sure thatour troops have their work cut out for them."
The little party was gathered on the deck of a small transport whichthey had picked up at Louisbourg. For having arrived at New York inaccordance with the wish expressed in General Wolfe's letter, they hadtaken the first trader for Louisbourg, and had had the huge misfortuneof running into big seas and nasty weather. Indeed, as if to make thetask of our general harder, this season proved to be an extremely lateone. Spring was very long in coming, and the expedition, which sailedfrom England early in the year, was much delayed by contrary winds.Even when it did arrive in the harbour of Louisbourg the seas wereencumbered with ice floes, and ice was floating thickly in the harbour.
The same difficulties had been encountered by the ship on which Steveand his friends sailed, and when at length they reached Louisbourgthe fleet had sailed for Quebec some weeks before, while their ownarrival there was delayed further by having to await a transport. Buthere they were at last, and within a few hours were landed at the hugecamp which the general had pitched on the western end of the Isle ofOrleans. Promptly they went to the quartermaster-general to reportthemselves.
"Better late than never, gentlemen," he said, as Steve handed him hisletter, "and I can promise you a very warm welcome from our leader,that is, as soon as he is recovered. He has very bad health as ageneral rule, as you may know, and now I regret to say that he isdown with an attack of fever, and lies in bed over at the camp bythe Montmorenci. Now, I shall allot tents for you, and you will drawrations in the ordinary course. You must find wood for yourselves, andmust appoint your own cook."
"That ain't no difficulty to men as has been cooking their own gruball their lives," said Jim, with a laugh. "Reckon I'll take that 'erejob till the time comes for fightin'. Then I'm off to try what acharge feels like again. General, fightin' in the forest ain't nothin'for excitement compared with the rush of these 'ere soldiers. A manfeels a man when he sees the enemy plain before him, and when he'smade up his mind to reach 'em and turn 'em out whatever their numbers."
"The kind of spirit which I fancy fills our gallant fellows," came thesmiling answer. "If I make no mistake you are Hunting Jim."
"You've struck it, General. That's me."
"Then I have heard of your dash at the landing on Cape Breton Island.You will have other chances, my man, for Quebec has still to betaken. Now I wish to warn you. Those guns are being fired from PointLevis, just opposite the city, and should you make in that directionyou will do wisely to keep well in rear of our batteries. The workthere is rather warm at times. As to your duties. You will, of course,wait till you have seen the general. But there is much for you todo. We have Rogers, a gallant colonial, and Stark, and others, too,in command of bands of trappers and scouts like yourselves, and forweeks they have been in the forests, meeting the French irregulars andtheir Indians. There have been some very fierce encounters betweenthe different parties, and I am glad to say that our men have driventhe French and their allies back, and have penetrated even as far asMontreal. You might very well join one of those bands."
"And what of the fighting here, sir?" Steve ventured to ask. "Werather feared that we should arrive too late, for we have been verymuch delayed. It is already September."
"And very soon we shall have to be returning, for the winter will beupon us. But it will not come to that, I hope. Frankly, gentlemen,we are face to face with what would appear to be an insuperabledifficulty. We have made attempts on the city without success, andour leader is almost in despair. As to what we have actually done, webrought our fleet right up the river, much to the amazement of theFrench, who have never dared to do such a thing with their own ships.That proves that our navy is very capable, and, indeed, we owe atremendous amount to it. We pitched our camp here promptly, while thefleet lay off the island, and were almost at once in difficulties, forthe French sent down fire ships. However, our tars made short work ofthe flaring ships, and, indeed, enjoyed the fun of towing them away.Then we captured Point Levis, and commenced to build batteries. Ourguns have been at work, just as you hear them now, almost incessantlyfor eight weeks, and the lower parts of the city are crushed topieces. But still the garrison is there, with strongly entrenchedlines stretching east from the city to the Montmorenci, and known tous as the lines of Beauport, while there is also a force watchingthe ford which exists higher up the river Montmorenci. Our aim is,of course, to get on to that plateau, and on one occasion we landedtroops below it, close to the falls, and failed to gain a footingabove, though our men made a gallant and very reckless charge, withouthaving received orders to do so.
"At the present moment we are contenting ourselves with a constantcannonade, and with feints here and there, while our ships, some ofwhich have passed Point Levis, and run up above the city, drift downduring the night, thus making the French think that we may attackat any moment. Prideaux has captured Niagara, which has resulted ina movement of Montcalm's troops, Bougainville having been sent with1500 men to Cap Rouge, which, you know, is some seven miles westof Quebec, at the end of the ridge which faces the river there, andoffers an insuperable barrier to us."
"The one on which we lay hidden for a week, or rather where my friendstook me after they had rescued me from prison," broke in Steve. "Iremember the ridge well. The heights above are known as the Plains ofAbraham."
"You recollect the ridge, sir? How do you mean?" demanded thequartermaster-general suddenly, a faint flush spreading over his face.
"We descended to the river that way," came the answer. "There is arough path, which we scrambled down during the darkness. A canoe waswaiting for us at the bank, and we set off in her. After that wecaptured a ship and----"
"Stop! One moment!"
To Steve's amazement the quartermaster-general came a step closer, andstared at him with a curious expression of excitement.
"You clambered down that ridge, sir?" he asked. "Up to this we haveconsidered that an impossible feat. Are you sure?"
"Certain. I was a prisoner for some months, and was allowed greatliberty. I have scrambled down from the plains many a time, and couldclamber up again. What defences do they have there?"
"None. There are fifteen hundred men at Cap Rouge, as I have justexplained, and here and there are guards to watch the ridge. ButMontcalm believes, just as we have always believed, that to scalethose heights is impossible. You could clamber up? You are certain?You could find a place?"
"I am positive," came the swift answer. "Give me a boat in which torun up river and inspect, and I am sure I can find a place."
QUEBEC in 1759.]
By now there was little doubt of the excitement into which the officerhad worked himself. His face was red and white b
y turns, his handswere clenched, and he strode to and fro as if he could not remainstill.
"I will do it," he said. "The general is ill, very ill, I fear,though he is reported to be a little better this morning. But this isimportant information, and he must have it at once. Be good enough toaccompany me."
He beckoned to Steve, turned, and strode to the river, where there wasa boat belonging to one of the men-of-war, fully manned, and at oncethe officer stepped into her, Steve taking his place beside him.
"Pull for the Montmorenci, lads," he cried. "This is urgent business,and your officer must excuse my taking his boat. Let one of yournumber stay behind to tell him that the quartermaster-general wascompelled to borrow it."
The oars splashed and the boat put off into the river. Then she surgedover to the far shore, for the sailors could see that something urgentwas afoot. And presently the bows struck the far bank, and Steve foundhimself walking beside the general to a hut situated in the Englishcamp.
"Tell the general I am here and wish to see him on the most urgentbusiness," said the officer. "I know he is ill, but this news cannotwait."
A minute later Steve was gripping the feeble hand of his oldcommander, who lay in a camp bed, prostrate with fever. But eventhough he was ill and suffering he could remember old friends, and atonce greeted our hero.
"Our escaped prisoner," he smiled, somewhat wanly, "come at mybidding, but very late, I fear."
"We were delayed, sir," answered Steve. "We feared that we shouldarrive too late."
"Would that you had, my lad. But Quebec is still not ours, and I havegrave doubts about taking it. Montcalm has sixteen thousand men todefend the place, to say nothing of the enormous natural obstacleswhich aid him. I have seven thousand men, gallant fellows every one,and finely equipped and disciplined. If it were possible they wouldhave captured the city for us by now. But it is not. I see no way outof the difficulty."
"Knowing that, I ventured to bring this young officer with me," saidthe quartermaster suddenly. "General, Steve Mainwaring was a prisonerat large and knows every foot of the surroundings of Quebec. He cantell you of a place where an attempt might be made."
Wolfe shot up on his couch as if he had been stung, and stared at ourhero with blood-shot eyes, which plainly showed the fever from whichhe was suffering.
"You know of a place!" he cried eagerly. "Where? Where?"
"I mentioned that I had escaped down the cliff which falls from thePlains of Abraham. There are several tracks down it, and one I oftenused when I was a prisoner is known as the Anse du Foulon. Men couldclimb there, General, if the place were pointed out to them."
"Will you find it? Will you lead the men there?"
The hollow eyes of the general stared at Steve eagerly, while the sickman sat on the edge of his couch as if about to stand.
"I could," was Steve's emphatic answer, "I or any of the three friendswith me, one of whom is my father. If you will give us the order, sir,we will carry out the duty, and will do our best to take a party tothe top so as to hold the place. Then others can ascend."
"You shall go at once. The quartermaster-general will make allarrangements for me. You shall be taken aboard one of the sloops ofwar, and sail up the river. That will allow you to get your bearings.When you have identified the place come back to Point Levis. I shallbe there, and we will make final preparations."
The general dismissed them with a nod, and as they left the hut theyheard him calling to his servant.
"A gallant gentleman, cursed with execrable health, but possessedof wonderful spirit and ability," said the quartermaster-general."Captain, your news will do more for him than any amount of rest orphysic. Find this path for him, and our leader will be happy."
Indeed, our hero seemed to have arrived in the very nick of time, andas a result perhaps of his news, the general was soon out of his bed,and making his way from point to point, inspecting the batteries andcamps, infusing new spirit into the men, and causing the enemy many aqualm. The news of a possible attempt on the Heights of Abraham waskept a dead secret while Steve was engaged on his search, and everyeffort made to harass the French. In order to carry out this programmeeffectively the camp at Montmorenci was broken up, and the troopsbrought to Point Levis or to the Isle of Orleans. Then a garrisonwas selected for these two posts, and all save a regiment of sevenhundred men secretly embarked upon the ships of the fleet, the menwho remained being posted close to Point Levis. Thenceforward, for afew days the French had many an alarm, for fleets of boats, filledwith troops from the camp at Orleans, or from that at Point Levis,put off from the bank as if about to make an attack, only, however,to return as promptly, for it must be remembered that they were theonly available garrison now for those points. Ships opened fire on thecity from various stations, while the fleet massed up by Cap Rouge,and so many feints were made that Bougainville was severely harassed.As for Montcalm, the brave and able commander of the French, he saw inall these feints a projected attempt on the mouth of the St. Charlesriver, under the very shadow of Quebec, and disposed his troopsaccordingly.
Meanwhile Steve, his father, and the two trappers had embarked on asloop, and having sailed during the night up to Cap Rouge, drifteddown river on the following day. Twice in succession they repeated theperformance.
"I am satisfied now that we have found the place," said our hero,when sent for by the general. "From the river here the land looks sodifferent that at first we were a little uncertain. But we have pickedup our bearings, and there can be no doubt. It remains now only tomake sure that the enemy is not above, and if they are there, to getsuch a hold that they cannot drive us down before reinforcementsarrive. May we have a canoe, General? and whenever you select thenight for the attack, we will slip ashore, find the path, and signalto the men."
"We are ready now," came the answer, for Wolfe was nothing if noteager and impetuous. "But the weather is against us. It is dull andinclined to rain, and that, in my opinion, would spoil our chances. Wewant a fine night. Return to the sloop, Steve, and when the hour comesI will send for you."
Steve left the general stalking restlessly backwards and forwards infront of his tent, looking wan and ill after his attack of fever. ButWolfe was full of energy and determination. This coming attempt, hefelt, was to be his last. It was to be the one great stroke upon whichthe success of the whole campaign depended, and nothing should causefailure that care and attention beforehand could obviate. He wentaboard the fleet, and himself studied the face of that cliff up whichhis battalions were to clamber. Then he published his orders, gave hisfinal instructions, and sent a short note to Steve.
"The weather is settled now, and the night will be fine," he wrote onthe twelfth of September. "Carry out your plan to-night. As soon as itis dark make for the shore, and find this path. When you are sure thatyou are near it lie close down by the water and listen. My men leavethree hours after it is dark. Show them a lantern as they pass you."
That was all. This General Wolfe, a keen organiser himself, was oneof those officers who had the happy knack of rapidly discovering thegood points of those who served him. Once assured of an officer'sdiscretion, he could give an order and leave it to the officer inquestion to carry it out in every detail without interference. Andnow he sent his final orders to Steve, intimating to him that on hisdiscretion depended the success or failure of the whole expedition.
"Then we will make our preparations," said our hero, when he hadread the note. "We already have a canoe, and I advise that we putsome provisions into her, for the troops may be delayed. We will goalone, and will take knives and tomahawks. A musket might go offaccidentally, and in any case we shall be glad to be free of theweight."
"Another o' Steve's 'cute ideas," cried Jim. "This 'ere game as we'vegot air the biggest I reckon of any as we've ever tackled, 'cos, yersee, ef we make jest the smallest mistake and the French hear us,waal, what's the good of troops? They'll be down upon us at once."
"But not in force," answered Steve quickly. "Remember, Jim,
thatMontcalm has the majority of his men either in the city or in theBeauport lines. There are men at Cap Rouge, but only posts along thecliff we are to climb. We will find the path, clamber up it, and leavetwo at the top to watch. If a French sentry should come along and hearthe noise made by the men as they disembark, those two must silencehim. After that it will take only a few minutes to get some of ourfellows up, and then Montcalm will want an army. Our boys will not beturned off the cliff by anything less. Jim, you and Mac will take thatpost up at the top. Father and I will descend and give the signal."
Darkness had fallen barely more than a quarter of an hour when theparty of four prepared to leave the sloop. Those aboard her now knewwhat was about to happen. Indeed, the English troops aboard the fleetwere aware of the attempt about to take place, and were alreadysilently embarking in the boats secured to the ships' sides. As to theFrench, they still believed that an attack in force was impending atthe mouth of the St. Charles, or against the Beauport lines, for thefeints of the fleet at Cap Rouge had ceased entirely, while Montcalmdid not even suspect that the bulk of Wolfe's army was aboard. Therewas a curious calm up the river, where there had been so much energya few days ago, while down stream, at Point Levis, the guns thunderedeven more loudly than before, and there was very obvious activity atthe camp on the Isle of Orleans. Indeed, perched as they were high upin Quebec, and the ridge on either hand, the French could see everymovement of the English, unless cloaked by the darkness. Montcalm hadbeen an attentive watcher, and on this very night his charger stoodready saddled, so that the commander might gallop along the Beauportlines, wherever circumstances might call him. Little did Montcalmthink that it was towards the opposite direction that his horse'shoofs would carry him.
"Good luck, boys. Remember we're waiting. Remember that every manaboard the fleet looks to you to-night, and that every mother's son inOld England will sing your praises if you are successful."
The captain of the sloop, a rough old sea dog, gripped each one of theparty by the hand as they prepared to step into the canoe. Then hegave Steve a bag containing a dark lantern, flint, and steel.
"Light it ashore," he said earnestly. "Even the best lamp of this sortmight show a glimmer, and the French would see it. Get under coverwhen you strike the flint, lad. Don't forget. Under cover."
There was a faint murmur from the men as Steve dropped gently into thecanoe, while the clatter of booted troops lowering themselves into theboats of the fleet came softly to the ear.
"Push off," he whispered. "Out paddles. Jim, take post in the stern."
It was a silent party which floated down the mighty St. Lawrence, forup above there might be many listening ears. The paddles dipped everso gently, while at the stern Jim sat stolidly, his nerves strung tohigh tension, for this was new work again, his paddle deep in theriver, and his eyes following the faint line of the ridge.
"Put her in. We have floated far enough, and, I think, are nearlyopposite. H-u-u-s-h!"
There was a sound high up above the river, and close at hand, for thecanoe was now within a few yards of the bank. Then, startlingly loudon this calm night came the voice of a sentry.
"_Qui va la?_ Who goes there? Reply or I fire."
"Be silent. We are a provision boat. You will show the enemy ourposition."
Quick as thought Steve gave the answer in French, and at once thefigure which had stood dimly silhouetted against the clear sky and thestars above disappeared.
"Paddle back a little," whispered Steve, when the man had gone. "Nowlie off the bank for a while, dipping your paddles gently. In a fewminutes we will drop down again."
They took their frail craft some two hundred yards up stream again,making out into the river as they did so. Then, having allowed someminutes to pass, they struck for the bank again, floated down withoutusing a paddle, and grounded noiselessly. There was no need nowfor talking. Steve stepped softly ashore, and was followed by hiscomrades. Together they lifted the canoe, and laid it on the bank someyards from the brink. Then they turned their faces to the cliff, creptover the grass, and between bushes and brambles till they were at itsfoot, and then separated. Five minutes later they had gathered againat the same spot.
"Struck it, Cap'n," whispered Jim, a thrill of excitement in hisusually even voice. "I jest hit nicely on it. Come."
On hands and knees now the four crept along at the foot of the clifftill Jim stopped them. They turned to the left abruptly, and as Stevefelt the ground his fingers detected the hollow track which he hadused on former occasions when a prisoner at Quebec. They were onit now, Jim leading still, and Mac in rear, clambering through thedarkness.
"H-u-u-u-sh! What in thunder air thet?"
Jim spoke in a whisper, and Steve, who followed closely after him,squeezed up to his side. There was a mass of wood and earth clingingto the face of the cliff, and entirely blocking a portion of thezig-zag Anse du Foulon.
"Get round it," whispered Steve, when he had run his fingers over theobstruction. "Quietly! I think I heard someone moving up above."
Creeping to the right, and making use of every possible stump androck, Jim clambered round the obstruction, and reached the path again.Another minute and he had gained the summit of the cliff, here sometwo hundred feet in height, and was stretched on the grass which cladthe edge. And there the four lay listening for some few minutes.
"There's a sentry or two 'way over thar," whispered Jim, after alittle while. "I can hear the tap of his boots, and what's thet?"
"A song. He is doing what many a sentry does to pass the hours ofdarkness. Humming a little tune all to himself. It's company to a manposted on such a lonely beat. Well, Jim, we'll go. Keep a brightlook-out."
Steve and his father slipped from the edge, past Mac and Jim, andgroped their way down the steep path. On any other occasion they wouldhave placed their heels against the earth and slid, for the path gavelittle holding, while its steepness was lessened by the fact that itran zig-zag across the face of the cliff. But a slide now would bringthe sentries to that quarter, and so the two groped their way downtill they reached the bottom. Then Mr. Mainwaring unstrapped a blanketwhich he had carried attached to his back, and he and Steve sat downbeneath it, dragging the edges close to the grass. The rasp of a flinton steel followed, and within a few seconds the candle in their darklantern was alight.
"Close the dark slide now, Steve," whispered Mr. Mainwaring. "I willtake charge of the lamp while you watch. Then you can sing out whenI am to expose the light. Remember, lad, you are in command of thislittle party."
He took the lamp and sat down close to the edge of the water, hiseye fixed on the dark figure of his son. As for Steve, he stoodlike a rock, listening intently and watching the river. Ah! A voicebroke from the summit of the cliff, the sing-song tones of which herecognised. It was the sentry again.
"Who goes there? Halt, or I fire!"
And almost at once, in the most excellent French, came the answer."Silence, fool, can you not see that we are provision boats floatingdown to Quebec. Silence, I say!"
The sentry was satisfied. He shouldered his arm and strode off,complimenting himself on his sharpness. As for the boats which hehad detected, they were, in fact, the leading craft of the flotillawhich bore our troops, and the officer who answered in such excellentFrench was a Highlander, sent in advance for the very purpose, incase the necessity to reply to a challenge should arise. The time hadcome. Steve clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth, a signalwhich his father instantly followed. There was the low squeak of themoving slide, and then a pencil of light shot out from the bank, to beextinguished in less than five seconds.
One, two, three, Steve counted the boats as they ran in to the bankand grounded. He ran forward, greeted the officer in command, and thenturned to lead them. They reached the cliff, gained the track, andcommenced to ascend. Hark! Above the faint noise made by the boots ofthis advance party, above the deep breathing of the men there came asharp challenge from above.
"Who is there? Ah! I h
ear men moving down below, and there are boats.Fire!"
Then followed a sudden shriek, there was the sound of a conflictabove, and within a few seconds a body crashed on the path some yardsbeneath the top of the ridge, rebounded, and fell with a sickeningthud to the bank below. At the same instant a shot was fired, whileshouts arose in the distance.
"Charge. Up with yer, boys. We've got 'em. There ain't more then ascore here. Up yer come, every one of yer."
Jim shouted the words, and as Steve clambered to the top, he cameacross the trapper standing to his full height, jubilant at thesuccess of the leading party.
"Did yer hear that air varmint strike?" he asked coolly. "Yer did.Then you've nothing more to fear. It air that fellow Jules Lapon,who's come up against us this many times. Reckon he won't be troublingno longer."
Steve had barely time in which to grasp his meaning before the firstof the men were up. And after them, struggling up the track and at ahundred and more other spots, came the rest of the troops, excitedand eager, fiercely determined to win on this occasion. Recklessof danger, staunch to a man, and with childish confidence in theirofficers, these gallant fellows gained the heights, paused to gatherbreath, and then fell into their companies. When the daylight came,Montcalm looked with consternation to the Plains of Abraham. For Wolfewas there with four thousand three hundred seasoned and determinedmen, who stood eagerly awaiting the expected battle.
Chapter XX
The Plains of Abraham
The sun, rising in all its early autumn splendour on that eventfulthirteenth of September, 1759, looked down upon an historic scenewhich England should never forget. The slanting rays pierced themists overhanging the side reaches of the St. Lawrence, and slowlydisclosed to view the promontory on which the city of Quebec wasbuilt, now no longer that fairy place which Steve had known it, buta mangled heap of ruins, with debris of fallen houses, convents, andbarracks choking the tortuous streets. The lower portions of thecity were gone, while above, where the cannon shot from Point Levishad failed to reach, the batteries and walls stood out prominentlyon this fair morning, as defiant as ever, frowning upon the Englishcamp on the Isle of Orleans, and upon the two long plateaux on eitherhand. There was turmoil in this upper city. Soldiers and civilianswere rushing aimlessly about, horsemen galloped from the walls withfrantic messages, while Montcalm, that gallant soldier, discussed thesituation with the Marquis Vaudreuil, governor of Canada.
The news had just reached the city, and as the French commander lookedtowards the Plains of Abraham, spying them through his glass, he sawthat it was only too true.
"At last," he said, "they have outwitted us, these fine Englishmen andtheir persevering leader. They are waiting for our soldiers. I mustgo."
In his own heart Montcalm knew in what a desperate plight he and hisforce were, for he had already learned that the enemy who had for solong faced the city were trained men, veterans, determined to win.
"We have a breathing space," said General Wolfe, looking haggardon this early morning as he stood surrounded by his officers. "Letthe men lie down and eat their rations. And send for Captain SteveMainwaring and those gallant friends who helped us last night."
He stood, his glass to his eye, watching the distant city and the menbustling about the walls. Then he turned to his own battalions andinspected them critically.
"They will not fail me," he said, in tones of the utmost confidence."Though they are but a few more than four thousand, they will beatthese French. But I must remember that there are enemies in front andbehind."
Wolfe was, in fact, in a precarious position, had the French but knownit, for by placing his army on the Plains of Abraham, within littlemore than half a mile of the city, he had wedged his force in betweenMontcalm's city garrison and the soldiers holding the Beauport lines,and the force, now amounting to over two thousand, which held CapRouge under command of Bougainville. These separate bodies of troopsmight march to attack him at the same moment, and he would findhimself assailed in front and rear, a very serious position for sosmall a force as he possessed. However, to the brave many things arepossible, and it happened that Wolfe's daring tactics on this occasionthrew the enemy into hopeless confusion. The guards along thatridge where the Anse du Foulon had been ascended rushed with theirinformation to Quebec, shouted the alarm, and caused Montcalm hastilyto gather troops from the city and the Beauport lines, where he hadimagined the attack would be delivered. In the flurry of the moment noone thought of Bougainville and his men, and while the fate of Canadalay in the balance, this officer remained within six miles of Wolfe'sposition, ignorant of what had happened, and expecting hourly anattack in force on his own entrenchments. Not till the cannon roaredand the volume of musketry fire reached his ear did he gather what washappening, and then it was too late. Even then it is doubtful whetherBougainville would have been right in leaving the post entrusted tohim, for cannon were for ever booming in the neighbourhood of Quebec.
"Gentlemen, at such a time I can say little to show my appreciationof your conduct," said General Wolfe as Steve and his comrades rangedup before him and were closely surrounded by the officers. "I thankyou from the bottom of my heart, for you have given me and these finefellows of ours our opportunity. You shall see that we will take thefullest advantage of it."
He shook them each warmly by the hand, and then turned to watch theenemy. As for our hero, he went back to the ranks with burning cheeks,feeling that there was nothing he would not do for his commander.
"There's goin' to be some of the old work to-day," said Jim, as hemunched at a hunch of bread which he had brought in his pocket."Cap'n, set an eye over thar to our left. Do yer see?"
"There are Indians and Canadian irregulars filing off into the bush,"came the answer. "They will creep closer, and open fire from thecover. Jim, we will collect a few of the rangers, and do our best tohold those men in check."
A number of scouts and trappers attached to the regulars had returnedto camp two days before, and these had only now put in an appearance,having crossed the river with the seven hundred troops left just abovePoint Levis. Steve at once went to their leader, pointed out that theenemy were massing their irregulars in the bush to the left of ourtroops, and asked if he would obtain orders to operate against them.
"Certainly," was the answer. "It is just the work for us."
The stalwart leader of backwoodsmen went off at a run to the general,and very soon the trappers, with Steve, his father, Jim, and Mac,were creeping into the bush. By now Montcalm had gathered some troopstogether, and had massed them just outside the western wall of thecity. At ten o'clock he was ready, and advanced with some threethousand five hundred men, to which some fifteen hundred irregularsmust be added, these hanging on to his right flank and making for thethickets and bush and cornfields which lay on Wolfe's left flank.
"The men will load with two bullets, and will reserve their fire tillthe enemy are at close quarters." The order, issued from the coolleader of our men, went down the ranks, and at once there was thering and tinkle of ramrods as a second ball was pushed into place.Men powdered their pans and looked to their locks carefully, and thenall eyes went to the enemy. They were less than half a mile away, andalready their cannon, three of which had been hurriedly brought intoposition, were plying our ranks with their shot, while from the flankcame a hail of bullets, sent by unseen marksmen.
Never in all his after-life could Steve forget that morning and thescene upon which he looked, for he lay at the edge of a scrap ofcover replying to the fire of the French irregulars. The French line,consisting of regulars and militia, advanced steadily, firing whenthey came into range. They were mixed together in a heterogeneousmass, and their shouts and the clatter of their pieces filled theair. Steve watched them closely, and noted that already they werethrown into some confusion, though our troops had not yet fired ashot, for their militia backwoodsmen, once they had fired, threwthemselves down on the ground to reload, causing gaps in the ranks.But still they were coming, looking formi
dable, and as if determinedto succeed. Then he gazed at the English troops, and a glow ofenthusiasm suffused his cheeks. For our men have won the unstintedpraise of everyone for their action on that morning. They were formedin a triple line, and lay on the ground, waiting, while the cannonshot and bullets plunged in amongst them, killing and maiming many.Here and there stood an officer, talking quietly to his men, joking,laughing, keeping their temper in hand, as our officers have alwaysknown how to do. But the time for action had come. Wolfe, calm andpatient, yet itching to commence operations, walked to the front ofthe Louisbourg Grenadiers and lifted his cane.
They were up. As one man the English regiments scrambled to theirfeet, lined up, and brought their pieces down to the charge.
"Remember orders. Men, hold your fire till the word is given."
The officers could be heard calling to the men while they dressed thelines for the coming charge. Ah! Wolfe was advancing. Steve saw himwrapping a handkerchief about his wrist, which had been shatteredby a ball. The French were close at hand now. Men could catch thegleam of bayonets, and could see into one another's eyes. But therewas not a sound from the English. They still advanced, silent andawe-inspiring. They were within forty yards when the signal was given,officers stepped to the flanks of their companies, a loud commandwas heard, and in an instant a line of flame spouted from the ranks,while the crash of the muskets sounded more like the discharge ofcannon than of smaller weapons. Then, indeed, did our men shout. Theirvoices deafened the air, for they cheered enthusiastically. As forthe French, they were thrown into instant confusion. Huge gaps weretorn in their ranks, while men fell in all directions. They stoodspellbound for the most part, while some of their militia fled, forthis was almost the first time in this momentous campaign that theyhad stood face to face with our men.
"Load again. Ready. Present! Fire!"
The order went rolling down our thin ranks, and again Steve heard theclink and ring of the ramrods. Then came a second rattling volley, thebullets crashing into the French ranks. Hurrah! Our men were advancingagain. The bayonets were breast high, while the broadswords of theHighlanders flashed in the sun. Another shout went down the ranks, andthen there was heard the clatter of bayonet on bayonet, the hoarsecheers of Highlanders, and the frantic shouts of New England lads,and men from Old England. The French held their ground for a moment,bravely contesting the path. Then they turned, broke into smallparties, and for the most part fled, a few veterans here and therestanding shoulder to shoulder to the last.
But where was Wolfe? The Indians and Canadians were flying with theircomrades now, and Steve was no longer required on the flank. He slunghis musket over his shoulder, and went off at a run till a smallgathering of officers attracted his attention. Wolfe, the gallant,lion-hearted officer had been hit in the wrist at the commencement ofthe action, and afterwards in the groin and through the lung. He wasmortally wounded, and called to Lieutenant Browne. "Support me," hecried, "lest my gallant fellows should see me fall."
The officer was too late, and arrived at the general's side to findhim on the ground. Then a Mr. Henderson and Colonel Williamsonarrived, while Steve came on the scene a second or so later. Togetherthey lifted the poor general and carried him to the rear, where theylaid him gently down again, for he was in great pain and almostunconscious.
"They run! See how they run!" cried an officer.
The words seemed to rouse the dying man. "Who run?" he asked eagerly,but with feeble voice.
"The enemy, sir. Egad, they give way everywhere!"
"Go one of you, my lads," said Wolfe, "with all speed to ColonelBurton, and tell him to march down to the St. Charles river and cutoff the retreat of the fugitives to the bridge."
Those were almost his last words. Even as he lay dying this fineofficer thought of his duty and of his country. He turned on hisside, exclaimed, "God be praised, I now die in peace," and becomingunconscious, he died within a few minutes. Wolfe had won fame indeed.His last hours of life had been devoted to the welfare of his country,and this crowning stroke had won Quebec, had wrecked the French power,and given to England another colony, a gem which shines in our crownas brightly as do any. Many and many a winter has come and gone sinceWolfe laid down his life on those Plains of Abraham, the maple leafhas gladdened the eye with its wonderful autumn tints on many anoccasion, while thousands of our population have blessed the man whohelped to win us this fine province. Let England and her sons notforget. It is to devoted heroes such as Wolfe and his officers andsoldiers that she owes in great part this flourishing empire over theseas.
Montcalm, the brave commander of the French, was also wounded on thisfield, and died on the following morning. An obelisk stands now onthe heights of Quebec in honour of these two men who won renown onthe Plains of Abraham, and pays its tribute to their bravery in thefollowing lines:
Mortem Virtus, Communem Famam Historia, Monumentum Posteritas Dedit.
Canada was won, but was not altogether in our hands, for Vaudreuil,the French governor, still had many troops and irregulars, not tomention the murdering Christian-Indians, at his beck and call, whilethere were garrisons on Lake St. George, and at Niagara and otherforts during this summer. However, Prideaux marched against the last,and the place was taken, while Amherst, ascending Lake St. George,found Ticonderoga deserted and blown up, and Crown Point destituteof troops. The following year brought an attack on Quebec, thengarrisoned by English, who were for a time in desperate plight. But afleet ascended the river, and relieved them, while Amherst appearedupon the scene, took his troops to Montreal, and so overawed theFrench that they capitulated.
To describe all these actions, to tell of the gallant doings ofour soldiers and the daring enterprises of Rogers and many anotherbackwoods hero would be to occupy more space than is available. We aremore concerned with the doings of Steve Mainwaring, now a captain inthe British army, a post he had won by his gallantry. He fought hisway with his old comrades right through this eventful campaign, and inthe end returned to that settlement from which Jules Lapon had drivenhim. As to Lapon, his strange enmity was explained by Mr. Mainwaringon that very morning after Jim had struggled with the Frenchman andhad tossed him to the bottom of the famous Anse du Foulon.
"He is gone, Steve," he said. "Let us speak well of the dead, whateverhis faults. This misguided young man had a grudge against you and me,a grudge which must have caused him many an hour of bitterness. He wasa connection of yours."
"A connection?" Steve lifted his head in astonishment. He knew wellthat his mother had been French, but to hear that through her he wasrelated to this Jules Lapon was astounding.
"Yes, a connection," said Mr. Mainwaring. "Listen, lad. Your father isthe eldest son of a wealthy man living in England, a proud gentlemanwho had his own aims and views for his son. He had arranged, when Iwas only a boy, that I should marry the daughter of his old friend.I travelled, and in due course spent some months in France. There Imet your mother and married her, much to my father's indignation.He disowned me after settling a sum of money on me so that I shouldnot starve. As to your mother's parents, they were pleased with ourunion, I believe, but not so a Monsieur Lapon, your mother's cousin,and father of this unfortunate Jules. He was older than I, and foryears had been the accepted suitor. My marriage to your mother raisedhis hate and anger, and for years he attempted to do me an injury. Hesailed for Canada, for he was a poor man, while I made for America.There he discovered me, and before he died he set his son on my track.There, my boy, the mystery is explained. Had this Monsieur Lapon beenwedded to your mother he would have been a rich man. Yes, rich, forher father left her a big property. That will be yours, Steve, when Iam gone."
Steve took his pipe and went away to think over the matter. Hisfather's conversation had cleared up a mystery which had oftentroubled him. Now he understood why at times his father found needto absent himself. He had to go to France to look to the welfare ofthis property which had come to him through his wife. And now, too, hegathered why
this unfortunate young Jules had followed him so often,and with such bitterness. He was a disappointed man, who consideredthat this English family had filched wealth from his own.
"And in the end his strange bitterness brought about his downfall,"thought Steve. "He would have done better had he left us alone, andsettled peacefully in the country. But there. I know now why he had aspite against me, and I forgive him."
In the course of years Mr. Mainwaring died, and Steve found himselfa rich man, the owner of many broad acres in America, and of more inFrance and in England. But he never left his native country. The charmof the backwoods held him a prisoner, while he could never forsake Jimand Mac and Pete and many another trapper, now grown old and feebleand dependent upon him. The storm of the American revolution, whichlost us one of our finest possessions, passed over his head like ahuge rumbling cloud, leaving him unharmed. For he remained a neutral,in spite of threats and fines, declining to fight against his oldcomrades-in-arms, though he was conscious that his fellow-colonistshad many grievances. When that struggle was ended, Steve made his wayup those historic lakes, St. George and Champlain, found the hillockwhich he and Jim and their comrades had defended, and fought hisbattles over again. That zig-zag path up the face of the ridge atQuebec attracted his attention, and he clambered to the summit of theAnse du Foulon. His steps took him to that spot where the gallant soulof Wolfe had departed, and once again he saw the triple line of theEnglish, heard the roar of their double-shotted weapons, and watchedthe charge of those gallant fellows. He was a lad again. The yearswhich had flown past since those momentous times were bridged for themoment, and once again he was Captain Steve Mainwaring, fighting for anoble cause, the friend and leader of a gallant band of trappers andredskins.
* * * * *
[Transcriber's Notes:
The transcriber made these changes to the text to correct obviouserrors:
1. p. 120, "If all is right, --> If all is right, 2. p. 127, embarassment --> embarrassment 3. p. 136, separted --> separated 4. p. 184, tree." --> tree. 5. p. 229, "We will return --> We will return 6. p. 281, Levis --> Levis 7. p. 300, own friends again. --> own friends again." 8. p. 372, Levis --> Levis 9. p. 374, Levis --> Levis 10. p. 382, Levis --> Levis
End of Transcriber's Notes]
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