The men were told off into light boats, such as could be taken close inshore; whilst the frigates were to approach the various points of real or feigned attack, and open a heavy cannonade upon the French batteries.
Julian and Humphrey found themselves in boats alongside each other.
Humphrey was an Ensign, whilst Julian had been made a Lieutenant.
They belonged to the flotilla commanded by Wolfe, and were directing some of the boats which were upon the right extremity of the little fleet.
The hearts of the men were beating high with excitement and the anticipation of stern work before them.

The guns looked grimly forth from the heights above the shore.

All was yet silent as death; still it was impossible to think that the French were ignorant of the concerted movement about to be made against them.
A roar from the shore, behind and to their right, told them that already the battle had begun in other quarters.

The sailors set their teeth and rowed their hardest.

The boats shot through the great green waves.
Suddenly the smoke puffed out from the batteries in front.