Montcalm, riding out from Quebec early in the morning of Thursday, September 13, 1759, found the English drawn up in line of battle on the Plains of Abraham they had scaled the cliffs in safety. He attacked about ten o'clock, but his troops were repulsed at the second volley and fled in confusion back to the fort. Wolfe was killed in the charge which followed, and Montcalm was fatally wounded and died that night. The French were demoralized; a council was called and the incredible resolution reached to abandon the fort without further resistance. The retreat commenced at once, and Quebec was left to its fate. It was never again to pass into the hands of France.

BRAVE WOLFE

[September 13, 1759]

CHEER up, my young men all,
Let nothing fright you;
Though oft objections rise,
Let it delight you.

Let not your fancy move
Whene'er it comes to trial;
Nor let your courage fail
At the first denial.

I sat down by my love, Thinking that I woo'd her; I sat down by my love,

But sure not to delude her.

But when I got to speak,

My tongue it doth so quiver, I dare not speak my mind, Whenever I am with her.

Love, here's a ring of gold,

"T is long that I have kept it, My dear, now for my sake, I pray you to accept it.

When you the posy read,

Pray think upon the giver, My dear, remember me,

Or I'm undone forever.

Then Wolfe he took his leave,
Of his most lovely jewel;
Although it seemed to be
To him, an act most cruel.
Although it's for a space

I'm forced to leave my love,
My dear, where'er I rove,
I'll ne'er forget my dove.

So then this valiant youth
Embarked on the ocean,

To free America

From faction's dire commotion.

He landed at Quebec,

Being all brave and hearty; The city to attack,

With his most gallant party.

Then Wolfe drew up his men, In rank and file so pretty, On Abraham's lofty heights, Before this noble city.

A distance from the town
The noble French did meet them,
In double numbers there,

Resolved for to beat them.

A Parley: WOLFE and MONTCALM together
Montcalm and this brave youth,
Together they are walking;
So well they do agree,

Like brothers they are talking.

Then each one to his post,

As they do now retire; Oh, then their numerous hosts Began their dreadful fire.

Then instant from his horse, Fell this most noble hero, May we lament his loss

In words of deepest sorrow.

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"My eyesight fails! - but does the foe retreat? If they retire, I'm happy in my fate!" A generous chief, to whom the hero spoke, Cried, "Sir, they fly! - their ranks entirely broke:

Whilst thy bold troops o'er slaughtered heaps advance,

And deal due vengeance on the sons of France."

The pleasing truth recalls his parting soul,
And from his lips these dying accents stole:
"I'm satisfied!" he said, then wing'd his way,
Guarded by angels to celestial day.

An awful band! - Britannia's mighty dead,

Receives to glory his immortal shade. Marlborough and Talbot hail the warlike chief

Halket and Howe, late objects of our grief,
With joyful song conduct their welcome guest
To the bright mansions of eternal rest
For those prepared who merit just applause
By bravely dying in their country's cause.

Pennsylvania Gazette, November 8, 1759.

The fall of Quebec settled the fate of Canada. On September 8, 1760, Vaudreuil surrendered Montreal to a great besieging force under Amherst. By the terms of the capitulation, Canada and all its dependencies passed to the British crown. The fight for the continent was ended. Indian hostilities continued for some years, and it was not until October, 1764, that peace was made with them. One of its conditions was the return of all captives taken by the Indians, and they were assembled at Carlisle, Pa., December 31, 1764. It was there the incident took place which is related in the following verses.

THE CAPTIVE'S HYMN

(Carlisle, Pa., December 31, 1764)

THE Indian war was over,

And Pennsylvania's towns Welcomed the blessed calm that comes When peace a conflict crowns. Bitter and long had been the strife, But gallant Colonel Bouquet Had forced the foe to sue for grace, And named the joyful day When Shawnees, Tuscarawas, Miamis, Delawares,

And every band that roved the land

And called a captive theirs

From the pathless depths of the forest, By stream and dark defile,