Montcalm, in his turn, slightly bowed, but it was with the air of a man too practised to remember the
language of flattery. After musing a moment, he added:
It is possible my glasses have deceived me, and that your works resist our cannon better than I had
supposed. You know our force?
Our accounts vary, said Duncan, carelessly; the highest, however, has not exceeded twenty thousand
men.
The Frenchman bit his lip, and fastened his eyes keenly on the other as if to read his thoughts; then,
with a readiness peculiar to himself, he continued, as if assenting to the truth of an enumeration which
quite doubled his army:
It is a poor compliment to the vigilance of us soldiers, monsieur, that, do what we will, we never can
conceal our numbers. If it were to be done at all, one would believe it might succeed in these woods.
Though you think it too soon to listen to the calls of humanity, he added, smiling archly, I may be permitted
to believe that gallantry is not forgotten by one so young as yourself. The daughters of the commandant,
I learn, have passed into the fort since it was invested?
It is true, monsieur; but, so far from weakening our efforts, they set us an example of courage in their
own fortitude. Were nothing but resolution necessary to repel so accomplished a soldier as M. de Montcalm,
I would gladly trust the defense of William Henry to the elder of those ladies.
We have a wise ordinance in our Salique laws, which says, The crown of France shall never degrade
the lance to the distaff, said Montcalm, dryly, and with a little hauteur; but instantly adding, with his former
frank and easy air: as all the nobler qualities are hereditary, I can easily credit you; though, as I said
before, courage has its limits, and humanity must not be forgotten. I trust, monsieur, you come authorized
to treat for the surrender of the place?
Has your excellency found our defense so feeble as to believe the measure necessary?
I should be sorry to have the defense protracted in such a manner as to irritate my red friends there,
continued Montcalm, glancing his eyes at the group of grave and attentive Indians, without attending to
the other's questions; I find it difficult, even now, to limit them to the usages of war.
Heyward was silent; for a painful recollection of the dangers he had so recently escaped came over his
mind, and recalled the images of those defenseless beings who had shared in all his sufferings.
Ces messieurs-là, said Montcalm, following up the advantage which he conceived he had gained, are
most formidable when baffled; and it is unnecessary to tell you with what difficulty they are restrained in
their anger. Eh bien, monsieur! shall we speak of the terms?
I fear your excellency has been deceived as to the strength of William Henry, and the resources of its
garrison!
I have not sat down before Quebec, but an earthen work, that is defended by twenty-three hundred
gallant men, was the laconic reply.
Our mounds are earthen, certainly - nor are they seated on the rocks of Cape Diamond; but they stand
on that shore which proved so destructive to Dieskau and his army. There is also a powerful force within
a few hours' march of us, which we account upon as a part of our means.
Some six or eight thousand men, returned Montcalm, with much apparent indifference, whom their leader
wisely judges to be safer in their works than in the field.