276 DEFENCE OF QUEBEC. [1690. 



on board the admiral's ship to explain his situation. 

 While he was gone, his men put themselves in motion, 

 and advanced along the borders of the St. Charles 

 towards the ford. Frontenac, with three battalions 

 of regular troops, went to receive them at the cross- 

 ing ; while Sainte-Helene, with his brother Lon- 

 gueuil, passed the ford with a body of Canadians, and 

 opened fire on them from the neighboring thickets. 

 Their advance parties were driven in, and there 

 w r as a hot skirmish, the chief loss falling on the New 

 England men, who were fully exposed. On the 

 side of the French, Sainte-Helene was mortally 

 wounded, and his brother was hurt by a spent ball. 

 Towards evening, the Canadians withdrew, and the 

 English encamped for the night. Their com- 

 mander presently rejoined them. The admiral 

 had given him leave to withdraw them to the fleet, 

 and boats were accordingly sent to bring them off ; 

 but, as these did not arrive till about daybreak, it 

 was necessary to defer the embarkation till the 

 next night. 



At dawn, Quebec was all astir with the beating 

 of drums and the ringing of bells. The New Eng- 

 land drums replied ; and Walley drew up his men 

 under arms, expecting an attack, for the town 

 was so near that the hubbub of voices from within 

 could plainly be heard. The noise gradually died 

 away ; and, except a few shots from the ramparts, 

 the invaders were left undisturbed. Walley sent 

 two or three companies to beat up the neighboring 

 thickets, where he suspected that the enemy was 

 lurking. On the way, they had the good luck to 



