current becomes very swift indeed. Above this channel
was the small French fleet, which could stop a much larger
one trying to get up, or could even block most of the
fairway by sinking some of its own ships. Besides all
these defences of man and nature the French had floating
batteries along the north shore. They also held the Levis
Heights on the south shore, opposite Quebec, so that
ships crowded with helpless infantry could not, without
terrible risk, run through the intervening narrows, barely
a thousand yards wide.

A gale blowing down-stream was the first trouble for the
British fleet. Many of the transports broke loose and a
good deal of damage was done to small vessels and boats.
Next night a greater danger threatened, when the ebb-tide,
running five miles an hour, brought down seven French
fireships, which suddenly burst into flame as they rounded
the Point of Levy. There was a display of devil's fireworks
such as few men have ever seen or could imagine. Sizzling,
crackling, and roaring, the blinding flames leaped into
the jet-black sky, lighting up the camps of both armies,
where thousands of soldiers watched these engines of
death sweep down on the fleet. Each of the seven ships
was full of mines, blowing up and hurling shot and shell
in all directions. The crowded mass of British vessels
seemed doomed to destruction. But the first spurt of fire
had hardly been noticed before the men in the guard boats
began to row to the rescue. Swinging the grappling-hooks
round at arm's length, as if they were heaving the lead,
the bluejackets made the fireships fast, the officers