'Coventry,' which, being probably suggested by the saying,
'Sent to Coventry,' that is, condemned to silence, was
as apt a word for this expectant night as 'Gibraltar,'
the symbol of strength, was for the one on which Quebec
surrendered.

Just before dark Holmes sent every vessel he could spare
to make a show of force opposite Pointe-aux-Trembles, in
order to hold Bougainville there overnight. But after
dark the main body of Holmes's squadron and all the boats
and small transports came together opposite Cap Rouge.
Just before ten a single lantern appeared in the
_Sutherland's_ main topmast shrouds. On seeing this,
Chads formed up the boats between the ships and the south
shore, the side away from the French. In three hours
every man was in his place. Not a sound was to be heard
except the murmur of the strong ebb-tide setting down
towards Quebec and a gentle south-west breeze blowing in
the same direction. 'All ready, sir!' and Wolfe took his
own place in the first boat with his friend Captain
Delaune, the leader of the twenty-four men of the 'Forlorn
Hope,' who were to be the first to scale the cliff. Then
a second lantern appeared above the first; and the whole
brigade of boats began to move off in succession. They
had about eight miles to go. But the current ran the
distance in two hours. As they advanced they could see
the flashes from the Levis batteries growing brighter
and more frequent; for both the land gunners there and
the seamen gunners with Saunders farther down were
increasing their fire as the hour for Wolfe's landing