264 DEFENCE OF QUEBEC. [1G90. 



fleet neared Quebec. Bands of militia, vigilant, 

 agile, and well commanded, followed it along the 

 shore, and repelled with showers of bullets every 

 attempt of the enemy to touch Canadian soil. 



When, after his protracted voyage, Phips sailed 

 into the Basin of Quebec, one of the grandest 

 scenes on the western continent opened upon his 

 sight : the wide expanse of waters, the lofty prom- 

 ontory beyond, and the opposing heights of Levi ; 

 the cataract of Montmorenci, the distant range 

 of the Laurentian Mountains, the warlike rock 

 with its diadem of Avails and towers, the roofs of 

 the Lower Town clustering on the strand beneath, 

 the Chateau St. Louis perched at the brink of the 

 cliff, and over it the white banner, spangled with 

 fleurs-de-lis, flaunting defiance in the clear autumnal 

 air. Perhaps, as he gazed, a suspicion seized him 

 that the task he had undertaken was less easy 

 than he had thought ; but he had conquered once 

 by a simple summons to surrender, and he resolved 

 to try its virtue again. 



The fleet anchored a little below Quebec ; and 

 towards ten o'clock the French saw a boat put out 

 from the admiral's ship, bearing a flag of truce. 

 Four canoes went from the Lower Town, and met 

 it midway. It brought a subaltern officer, who 

 announced himself as the bearer of a letter from 

 Sir William Phips to the French commander. He 

 was taken into one of the canoes and paddled to 

 the quay, after being completely blindfolded by a 

 bandage which covered half his face. Prevost re- 

 ceived him as he landed, and ordered two sergeants 



