, the mainland, and the neighboring
islands. It was commanded by Pouchot, the late commandant of Niagara,
made prisoner in the last campaign, and since exchanged. As the rocky
islet had but little earth, the defences, though thick and
strong, were chiefly of logs, which flew in splinters under the
bombardment. The French, however, made a brave resistance.
The firing lasted all day, was resumed in the morning, and
continued two days more; when Pouchot, whose works were
in ruins, surrendered himself and his garrison. On this, Johnson's
Indians prepared to kill the prisoners; and, being compelled
to desist, three fourths of them went home in a rage.[847]

[Footnote 847: On the capture of Fort Levis, _Amherst to Pitt, 26 Aug.
1760. Amherst to Monckton, same date_. Pouchot, II. 264-282. Knox,
II. 405-413. Mante, 303-306. _All Canada in the Hands of the
English_ (Boston, 1760). _Journal of Colonel Nathaniel Woodhull_.]

Now began the critical part of the expedition, the descent
of the rapids. The Galops, the Rapide Plat, the Long Saut,
the Coteau du Lac were passed in succession, with little loss,
till they reached the Cedars, the Buisson, and the Cascades,
where the reckless surges dashed and bounded in the sun,
beautiful and terrible as young tigers at play. Boat after boat,
borne on their foaming crests, rushed madly down the torrent.
Forty-six were totally wrecked, eighteen were damaged, and eighty-four
men were drowned.[848] La Corne was watching the rapids with a
considerable body of Canadians; and it is difficult to see why this
bold and enterprising chief allowed the army to descend undisturbed
through passes so dangerous. At length the last rapid was left behind;
and the flotilla, gliding in peace over the smooth breast of Lake
St. Louis, landed at Isle Perrot, a few leagues from Montreal. In
the morning, September sixth, the troops embarked again, landed
unopposed at La Chine, nine miles from the city, marched on
without delay, and encamped before its walls.

[Footnote 848: _Amherst to Pitt, 8 Sept. 1760_.]

The Montreal of that time was a long, narrow assemblage
of wooden or stone houses, one or two stories high, above
which rose the peaked towers of the Seminary, the spires of
three churches, the walls of four convents, with the trees of
their adjacent gardens, and, conspicuous at the lower end,
a high mound of earth, crowned by a redoubt, where a few
cannon were mounted. The whole was surrounded by a shallo