Lawrence from Montreal, Sorel, and Three Rivers. French
vessels would come down as far as they dared and then
send the supplies on in barges, which kept close in under
the north shore above Quebec, where the French outposts
and batteries protected them from the British men-of-war
that were pushing higher and higher up the river. Some
supplies were brought in by land after they were put
ashore above the highest British vessels. But as a hundred
tons came far more easily by water than one ton by land,
it is not hard to see that Montcalm's men could not hold
out long if the St Lawrence near Quebec was closed to
supplies.

Wolfe, Montcalm, the brigadiers, and every one else on
both sides knew this perfectly well. But, as it was now
September, the fleet could not go far up the much more
difficult channel towards Montreal. If it did, and took
Wolfe's army with it, the few French men-of-war might
dispute the passage, and some sunken ships might block
the way, at all events for a time. Besides, the French
were preparing to repulse any landing up the river,
between Cap Rouge, nine miles above Quebec, and
Deschambault, forty miles above; and with good prospect
of success, because the country favoured their irregulars.
Moreover, if Wolfe should land many miles up, Montcalm
might still hold out far down in Quebec for the few days
remaining till October. If, on the other hand, the fleet
went up and left Wolfe's men behind, Montcalm would be
safer than ever at Beauport and Quebec; because, how
could Wolfe reach him without a fleet when he had failed