Part 40 (1/2)

”What--who--how--is it a ghost I see?”

A hearty laugh was the answer, and his hands were gripped in a clasp that was very certainly one of flesh and blood, to say nothing of bone and muscle.

”Ghost indeed! Nay, Fritz, you know better than that! It is John Stark himself, come to fulfil his promise, and to bring to General Wolfe the news that Ticonderoga has fallen!”

Chapter 3: A Daring Design.

Ticonderoga fallen! The news was like new wine in the veins of Wolfe. Ill as he was, he insisted that Stark should be brought to his bedside, and he eagerly entreated the bold Ranger to tell him the whole story.

”There is not so much to tell as there might be,” said Stark, ”for the French made no fight, either at Ticonderoga or at Crown Point.

We came with a gallant array against their fortresses, only to find that the enemy had evacuated them. They tried to blow up Ticonderoga before they left; but only one bastion was destroyed.

Crown Point was deserted without a blow being struck. I waited for that, and then made good my word. I said I would be the first to take the news of the fall of Ticonderoga to General Wolfe at Quebec.”

Wolfe's eyes were s.h.i.+ning with excitement.

”Then is General Amherst on his way here with his army?” he asked eagerly.

Stark shook his head.

”Alas, no! there is still much work to be done. If the French have abandoned these two forts, it is only that they may concentrate all their strength at Isle-aux-Noix, where the General must now attack them. And to do this he must build a brigantine and other vessels; and though there is a sawmill at Ticonderoga, the work will still take somewhat long to accomplish. I fear that many weeks will elapse before he can advance; and meantime--”

He paused, for he scarce knew how to conclude the sentence. He had heard as he pa.s.sed through the camp towards Wolfe's quarters that the outlook was not altogether a bright one, despite the fact that success had crowned many of the enterprises. .h.i.therto undertaken.

Wolfe took up the unfinished sentence and spoke.

”Meantime the winter gales will be threatening us, and if the walls of Quebec still shut us out, we may be forced to sail to England with our task yet uncompleted, or to take up our winter quarters in one of the islands, and wait for better things next spring. Was that the thought in your mind, John Stark?”

”In truth, sir, as I came along and surveyed the position of the notable city of Quebec, it seemed to me that it would be a hard task to bring it to surrender; but then we all know that General Wolfe can accomplish the impossible if any man can.”

A slight smile crossed Wolfe's worn face.

”I look like a man to perform the impossible, don't I, good Stark?”

he said; and the Ranger's eyes filled with pitiful sympathy as he made answer:

”Indeed, sir, I grieve to find you so; and yet men say that Wolfe sick is better than half a dozen other generals in full health and strength. Believe me, we have faith in you, and believe that you will win the day even single handed, though all the world should look on in scornful amaze, and say that you had set yourself the impossible.”

Wolfe's eyes flashed. A flush rose for a moment in his pale cheek.

Julian saw that such words as these moved him and braced his spirit like a tonic. He was half afraid lest it should be too much excitement, and he signed to Fritz to take Stark away.

”But I will see him again anon,” said Wolfe; ”I must hear more of these things. Let him be fed and well looked to, and presently I will ask him to come to me again.”

And when the two had left him, Wolfe turned to Julian and said:

”I see now that I have nothing to hope for in a junction with Amherst. He will have his hands full till the close of the season.

If Quebec is to be taken, we must take it ourselves, unaided from without. I think I would rather die out here, and leave this carca.s.s of mine in a Canadian grave, than return to England with the news that Quebec still holds out against the English flag!”

”Nay, say not so,” answered Julian earnestly, ”for the greatest general may be baffled at some point. And think of your mother--and--Miss Lowther!”