A painful period of waiting followed. Far up the bluff they could hear the volunteers climbing along. Then came a shot, followed by others, and then a ringing English cheer.
“We have them! We have them!” was the cry. “Come up!”
“Hurrah!” came a mighty cry. “Up we go!” And in a twinkle the soldiers were out of the boats and scaling the rocks as best they could, some by way of the path and others by rocks and bushes.
It was a climb that Henry never forgot. The path was choked with grenadiers, each with his gun slung over his back and each loaded down with knapsack and blanket.
“We can get up this way just as well,” said Silvers, and up they went, side by side, over some rough stones, and then hauling, pushing, and pulling themselves from one point of vantage to another, until, fairly panting for breath, they reached the top and joined the forces gathering on the field above, known as the Plains of Abraham.
CHAPTER XIV
WOLFE’S VICTORY AND DEATH
A slight shower of rain was falling when Henry and Silvers, still panting for breath, followed the grenadiers and Highlanders to the Plains of Abraham, so called after Abraham Martin, a Canadian pilot who had once owned a stretch of land in that locality. The plains were tolerably level, covered here and there with grass and brushwood. To the southward stretched the St. Lawrence, and to the north and east the River St. Charles. Quebec stood at the extreme southeast point, hidden from view by a series of rocks and low hills, and partly protected by the city wall.
“This is surely a surprise to the French,” remarked Henry, as a distant cannon roared forth a warning. “Outside of the guard that was routed not a soldier has come into view.”
But it was not long before a detachment of the French appeared on the ridge before the city. They were a battalion sent forward from an encampment on the St. Charles. The soldiers were in their showy white uniforms, in strong contrast to the red of the British. Drums beat, the Highlanders piped bravely on their pipes, and a skirmish ensued which quickly forced the French to retire for consultation. An attack was also made on the rear, by Bougainville’s forces, but this was likewise repulsed.