Slowly the balance of the day went by, and the night to follow was one Dave remembered for many a year after. It was bitterly cold, and they could do but little more than pile the wood on the fire, and crouch by it, so closely that more than once their clothing was singed. They cooked a huge chunk of the bear’s meat, and ate of it several times; and added some of the fat to the fire, in the hope of gaining additional heat. Once, a lean and hungry wolf came close, snarling viciously, and looking wistfully at the meat, and Dave brought it down with a bullet from his musket.
But morning came at last, and with it the end of the storm. As the sun arose it became slightly warmer, and by ten o’clock they were again on the way, each carrying a load of bear meat, and Barringford the pelt also. The walk was a tiresome one, and it was two days ere they came in sight of Fort Oswego.
“I am glad the trip is over,” muttered Dave. And Barringford echoed the sentiment. Soon they were among their friends, where they related their experiences, and then took a long and much-needed rest.
CHAPTER XX
THE SITUATION AT QUEBEC
Immediately after the fall of Quebec, the English resolved to hold the city at any cost, and to that end every defense was strengthened without loss of time.
As Wolfe was dead and Monckton wounded and unable to act, the command fell upon General Murray. Under his directions the soldiers leveled the breastworks erected on the Plains of Abraham, so that they might give no shelter to any advancing French army, and strengthened the defenses of Quebec proper. The men also cut and brought in large quantities of firewood, for use during the winter, which all felt would be long and bitter, and likewise aided in storing the provisions sent ashore from the fleet.
The ships could not winter very well in the river, and it was not long before they left, taking with them also a portion of the grenadiers and rangers. At Quebec were left ten battalions of grenadiers, one company of rangers, a strong force of the artillery, and likewise a sprinkling of Colonial free lances and friendly Indians—the latter to be used chiefly as scouts, spies, and messengers.
The city had suffered much from the bombardment of the artillery. The cathedral was honeycombed with cannon balls, and many public buildings and private houses and shops had been completely wrecked. The people who were left in the place were almost terror-stricken, and it was a long time before quiet, and even a semblance of order, could be restored.
For over a week Henry was kept at work on the outer defenses of the city. It was hard labor, but he did not grumble, having already realized that the path of the soldier is not one simply of glory. The death of Silvers made him unusually sober, and in his heart he was sincerely thankful that an all-powerful Providence had spared his life.