Wolfe suffered much during those days; but his spirit was as
unquenchable as ever, and as soon as the stormy sea had gone down a
little, was eager for the enterprise.
"Let us but set foot ashore, and I shall be a new man!" he cried.
"I weary of the everlasting heaving of the sea; but upon shore,
with my sword in my hand, there I am at home!"
The sea grew calm. There was still a heavy swell, and the waves
broke in snowy surf upon the beach; but the attempt had become
practicable, and the word was given overnight for a start at
daybreak. The men were told off into light boats, such as could be
taken close inshore; whilst the frigates were to approach the
various points of real or feigned attack, and open a heavy
cannonade upon the French batteries.
Julian and Humphrey found themselves in boats alongside each other.
Humphrey was an Ensign, whilst Julian had been made a Lieutenant.
They belonged to the flotilla commanded by Wolfe, and were
directing some of the boats which were upon the right extremity of
the little fleet.
The hearts of the men were beating high with excitement and the
anticipation of stern work before them. The guns looked grimly
forth from the heights above the shore. All was yet silent as
death; still it was impossible to think that the French were
ignorant of the concerted movement about to be made against them.
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