CROSSING THE FERRY. 33 



as well as its other attractions of merit ; we could simply reflect 

 on the immense cost of warfare, and of the reported expenditure 

 of some millions of dollars in the construction of the three forts 

 here represented, as well as their maintenance, and which, defend- 

 ing the lower harbor and city of Quebec, rendered the place fa- 

 mous. If my memory serves me, it was in 1759 that the lower 

 town of Quebec was bombarded from the heights of this town by 

 General Monckton, at the time the English captured the former 

 place and reduced it to an English Province. Hastily recaUing 

 these events the boat is quite ready to leave, and we are soon set- 

 tled and pursuing our way accompanied by the dash and splash 

 of the paddles as heard from outside, and the nearer plunge and 

 spit of the engine as it drove the machinery, while the fires below 

 roared and crackled, and the boat shivered from stem to stern as 

 she urged her way forward in the dark waters which sent billows 

 of foam on either side of the prow, to reflect an instant in some 

 light either from the vessels near by, or the lamps on the opposite 

 shore. 



The scene that presented itself to us as we stood thus on deck 

 looking out into the twilight about and beyond was one of strange 

 fantasy, you might almost say : above, on our left, dark frown- 

 ing heights were illuminated with lamps that sent their rays 

 in many directions penetrating the darkness, while all about us the 

 solitary lights of vessels lying at anchor glimmered from a darkness, 

 which occasionally reflected a darker outline of the vessel to whose 

 light we were nearest. We wove in and out of these until, rounding 

 the cliff, the full blaze of the lower town shone upon us, and 

 showed the confusion of a low-roofed housed city on the left, and 

 a river full of boats, vessels, and ships of all kinds and descriptions 

 on the right ; thus we approached the landing. 



I had chosen the deck of this little ferry steamer for my outlook 

 upon the city, as I could then have plenty of air, and be free from 

 the crowd below. The boat was small and substantially built, 

 rather cramped for standing or sitting room, and inconvenient; 

 besides, the body of the lower part was an open receptacle for 

 3 



