She has claimed half the world as her own; will she lose all for the sake of some petty quarrel with her neighbours ?" Montcalm smiled and slowly shook his head.
"Our royal master has his hands something too full at times," he said; "yet we will do our best for him out here." "And if General Amherst with his great army should succeed in capturing Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and should advance upon us by the interior, and steal upon us from behind, what then ?" asked the Abbe, who, having come from that part of the world, and knowing the apprehensions of the French along the western border, was not unmindful of this possible danger.
Montcalm's face was grave.
"That will be our greatest danger," he said.

"If that should take place, we shall have to weaken our camp along the river and send reinforcements to the small detachments now placed along the upper river.

But the English were routed at Ticonderoga once; let us hope it will happen so a second time." "General Amherst is a very different commander from General Abercromby," said the Abbe gravely; and Madame Drucour added her testimony to the abilities of the General who had commanded at the siege of Louisbourg, although the dash and energy of Wolfe had been one of the main elements of strength to the besiegers.
"Yet I have confidence in our good Boulamaque," answered Montcalm.
"He will do all that can he done to check the advance of the invaders and hold out fortresses against them.

We have had our disasters--far be it from me to deny it--but Ticonderoga is strong, and has long held her own; I think she will do so once again." "And will you remain within the walls of Quebec yourself, my dear Marquis?
or is it true what I hear--that your headquarters will be with the camp at Beauport ?" "My place is here--there--everywhere!" answered Montcalm, with a smile and a meaning gesture.

"Within the city the Chevalier de Ramesay will hold command with sixteen thousand men.