ns mingled with a disorderly peasantry."

Cheer after cheer rent the air as these words were heard. The
enthusiasm of the men had suffered no diminution during the days of
waiting. They loved their General; they respected and admired their
officers. They were full of eagerness to find themselves at last
face to face with the foe. They knew that upon the issue of this
enterprise hung the whole fate of the long campaign. If they failed
in their design, they must return to England with a story of
failure so far as Quebec was concerned; and no one would understand
the full difficulties of the situation, or appreciate all the solid
work that had already been accomplished towards the attainment of
that object.

Everything that could be done had been done. Admiral Saunders, in the
Basin of Quebec, was deceiving Montcalm by preparations which
convinced that General that the real point of attack was to be along
the Beauport shore, where he therefore massed his troops in readiness;
whilst Admiral Holmes, with his bateaux and flat-bottomed troop boats,
was deluding Bougainville with the notion that his camp at Cap Rouge
was to be the immediate object of the English assault. But all the
while Wolfe and a few of his officers--only a few--were in the secret
of the real basis of action; though the men knew that all was decided
upon, and that they would be led with consummate skill and address.

In the grey of the morning, Julian, too excited to sleep, heard the
soft plash of oars alongside the Sutherland, and raising his head
to look over the bulwarks, he heard his name pronounced in a
familiar voice.

"Humphrey, is that you?"

"Yes," he answered. "I have gleaned some news. I want to impart it
to the General."

Wolfe was lying on deck looking up at the quiet stars overhead,
worn out with the long strain, yet free from acute pain, and
thankful for the boon. He heard the words, and sat up.

"Bring him to me," he ordered; "I will hear his report."

The next minute Humphrey was on deck and beside him. Humphrey was
often employed to carry messages from ship to ship. He had built
himself a light, strong canoe; and could shoot through the water
almost like an Indian. He stood beside Wolfe's couch and told his
tale.

"I went up to the French camp as close as possible. I heard there
that some boatloads of provisions were to be sent down tonight upon
the ebb to Montcalm's camp. They have done this before, and will do
it again. Late