hazardous task of towing these undesired visitors into such places as
would permit them to burn themselves out without danger to the shipping.
Six were quickly got into safety, whilst the other two grounded and burnt
out without causing further inconvenience. Captain Knox describes the
scene as a display of "the grandest fireworks that can possibly be
conceived." The only result was to cause the retirement of a picket at
the western end of the Ile d'Orleans, and the officer in command, who
thought he was about to be attacked in force, was to have been tried by
court-martial, but being advised to throw himself on Wolfe's mercy, was
pardoned for his error of judgment. To guard against a repetition of such
an attack, a system of guard boats, some moored across the river and some
patrolling, was established, entailing considerable extra work on the
sailors.

An examination of the position showed Admiral Saunders that the safety of
the fleet, and therefore the interests of the army, would be best
consulted if he proceeded into the Basin of Quebec, as to remain cooped
up in the south channel added to the danger if a further attempt should
be made to fire the fleet. He therefore pointed out to Wolfe that the
small battery established by the French on Point Levi, which threatened
any ship entering into the Basin, should be taken, and the Point
occupied. This was at once carried out by Monckton's brigade, and a
battery was established which did serious damage to the town. When too
late the French sent over three floating batteries to aid in repulsing
the English, but they were driven back by one broadside from a frigate
Saunders moved up for the purpose.

Montcalm had entrenched his army on the north bank of the St. Lawrence,
between the rivers Charles and Montmorenci, and Wolfe determined to seize
on a piece of high ground to the east of the Montmorenci, to form a camp