Boscawen's fleet comprised 39 sail, from a 90-gun ship
of the line down to a 12-gun sloop. The British grand
total therefore exceeded Drucour's by over three to one,
counting mere numbers alone. If expert efficiency be
taken, for the sake of a more exact comparison, it is
not too much to say that the odds in favour of the British
personnel and armament were really four to one.

On the other hand, the French had the walls of Louisbourg
to redress the balance in their favour. These walls were
the crucial factor in the problem. Both sides knew they
were far from being impregnable. But how long could they
withstand a regular siege? If for only one month, then
they were useless as a protection to Quebec. If for two
months, then Quebec and New France were safe until the
following year.

Boscawen left England in February. Amherst followed
separately. One of the three brigadier-generals in
Amherst's army was Wolfe, of whom we shall hear more
presently. The rendezvous was Halifax, where boat work
and landing exercises were sedulously carried out by the
troops. Towards the end of May Boscawen sailed out of
Halifax, though Amherst had not yet arrived. They met at
sea. The Dublin, which had brought Amherst across so
slowly, then 'went very sickly into Halifax,' while
Amherst joined Boscawen, and the whole fleet and convoy
bore away for Louisbourg. The French had been expecting
them for at least a month; as scouts kept appearing almost
every day, while Hardy's squadron of nine sail had been