Page:Public School History of England and Canada (1892).djvu/226

 he exclaimed! “I would rather be the author of that poem than take Quebec.” In the early morning, of the 13th September, he landed at what is now known as Wolfe’s Cove. His active Highlanders were soon at the top of the path leading up the cliff. The French guard was quickly overpowered, and at daybreak Wolfe and. his little army stood ready for battle on the Plains of Abraham. Montcalm, who had been expécting an attack below the city on his lines at Beauport, as soon as the news was brought him broke up his camp, and without waiting for reinforcements hurried to meet Wolfe. Had he remained in the city it is doubtful if Wolfe could have taken it before the coming winter. But his impetuous temper led him astray, and marching through Quebec he flung himself on Wolfe’s veterans, who stood calmly awaiting their gallant leader’s orders. Not until the French were within forty paces did Wolfe give the command to fire; then, at the given signal, a well-directed volley of musketry, followed by a fierce charge of bayonets, caused the French to give way, and the victory of the Plains of Abraham was won. It was a dear victory to both English and French, for their brave leaders both fell in the conflict. Wolfe, wounded first in the wrist, then in the chest, lived long enough to know that the victory was won, and his heroic task done. “They run, they run,” said an officer holding in his arms the dying general. “Who run?” asked Wolfe; and when he heard, “Now God be praised” said he, “I die happy.” Montcalm was carried fatally wounded into Quebec, and when told his fate murmured sadly, “So much the better, I shall not live to see the surrender of Quebec.” He died before midnight, and was buried in a grave made by the bursting’ of a shell, a fitting close to the career of a brave soldier and a true patriot. Five days after, on the 18th September, Quebec surrendered, and Canada practically ceased to be a French possession.