236 SOLDIERS AND SAILORS failed to break their order, or make them even flinch for a moment. The skir- mishers, meantime, continued to gall the light infantry with their desultory fire, which acted also as a vail to conceal the intended movements of the main body of the enemy. As the light troops, however, hastily fell back, they caused a slight dismay among their supporters. Wolfe instantly rode along the line, and assured the men that these were only obeying instructions in order to draw the French onward. " Be firm, my lads ! " said he ; " do not return a shot till the enemy is within forty yards of the muzzles of your pieces ; then you may fire ! " The men replied by a shout ; and, shouldering their muskets, they remained as though on parade, while the French continued to press nearer and nearer. At lengfth they were within the appointed distance. Every gun was now levelled a crashing volley passed from left to right a dense smoke followed the dis- charge, and hid its effects for a minute. The breeze soon carried this off, and then the huge gaps in the enemy's line exceeded all expectation. In the rear, the ground appeared crowded with wounded men hurrying or being borne from the conPict ; while the army, which had just advanced so confidently, now wavered, and then stood still. Seeing the irresolution of the enemy, Wolfe cheered his men to charge. A moment after, a musket-ball struck his wrist. He paused only to wrap his handkerchief round the wound, and again pressed on. He re- ceived a second ball in his body, but still continued to issue his orders without evincing any symptom of pain, when a third bullet pierced his breast. Wolfe fell to the ground ; he was instantly raised and borne to the rear, where the utmost skill of the surgeons was put forth in a vain attempt to save his life. While they were engaged in examining his wounds, Wolfe continued to raise himself, from time to time, to watch the progress of the battle. His eye- sight beginning to fail, he leaned backwards upon one of the grenadiers who had supported him from the field, and his heavy breathing and an occasional groan, alone showed that life remained. " See how they run ! " exclaimed an officer, beside the dying general. " Who run ? " cried Wolfe, instantly raising himself on his elbow, and looking up, as if life were returning with full vigor. "The French," answered the officer ; "they are giving way in all directions." "Run, one of you," said the general, speaking with great firmness, "run to Colonel Burton ; tell him to march Webb's regiment down to Charles River with all speed, so as to secure the bridge, and cut ofT the enemy's retreat." His orders were obeyed, and after a short pause, he continued, "Now, God be praised, 1 shall die happy !" He fell back at these words, turned convulsively on his side and expired. Montcalm had also fallen in the battle ; the enemy was totally routed, and, five days after, Quebec capitulated to General Townshend. The body of the gallant and high-rninded Wolfe was conveyed home in a ship of war. When the hero's rerjiains arrived at Portsmouth, minute-guns were fired, the flags half struck, and a body of troops, with reversed arms, received the coffin on the beach, and followed the hearse. Parliament voted Wolfe a monu-
