“A soldier with a despatch for the General.”
“Let him come in,” said Montcalm, looking up.
A Canadian, recognisable as such by his dress, entered. He was covered with dust, and had evidently ridden hard. He laid a letter on the table before the General.
“Who has sent you?” asked Montcalm, as he opened the despatch.
“Captain Langlade,” was the ready answer.
The General’s face grew visibly sterner as he read, and when he had finished, he laid the letter on the table, kept his hand upon it, and said emphatically,—
“The decisive moment is approaching, gentlemen. This letter is to inform me that the English with a great fleet are within three leagues of Quebec; they have on board a large army, commanded by the young General Wolfe. We know full well what sort of man he is! The fate of Canada is now in the balance.”
“And you will come forth victorious, General, as you did at Fort William Henry and Ticonderoga,” said Levis.
“God grant it!” answered the General. “I think our measures are well taken,” he said, turning to the two officers. “In my opinion, unless there be treason in the camp, the English will never make themselves masters of the town. I believe it to be impregnable.”
“I am certain that, with intrenchments, I could hold the city with three or four thousand men,” said Bougainville; adding, “In a few days we shall muster sixteen thousand men in and round its walls. There is nothing to fear; let the English come!”