The crew now bent to their oars, and, a quarter of an hour later, the
boat was alongside the Sutherland, which, with her consorts, was slowly
drifting up the stream. General Wolfe and the admiral were on deck, and
anxiously waiting the arrival of the boat. The former, in his anxiety,
hailed the boat as it approached.
"Is Captain James Walsham on board?"
"Yes, sir," James replied.
"Bravo, bravo!" the general cried, delighted.
"Bravo!" he repeated, seizing James Walsham's hand as he stepped on
deck. "I did not expect to see you again, Captain Walsham, at least
until we took Quebec. Now, come to my cabin at once and tell me all
about it. But perhaps you are hungry."
"I am rather hungry, general," James said quietly. "We have had nothing
to eat but a crust of bread for three days."
"We? Who are we?" the general asked quickly.
"Mr. Middleton and myself, sir. He escaped after I had left, and joined
me."
"The galley fires are out," the admiral said, "but you shall have some
cold meat in my cabin, instantly."
James was at once led to the cabin, where, in two or three minutes,
food and a bottle of wine were placed before him. The general would not
allow him to speak a word, till his hunger was satisfied.
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