about six o'clock
He had sent an officer to Vaudreuil , whose quarters were near Quebec , begging him to send word instantly , should anything occur above the town . Just at daybreak , he heard the sound of cannon from that direction . This was the battery at Samos , opening fire upon the English ships . But no word came from Vaudreuil and , about six o'clock , Montcalm mounted and , accompanied by Johnston , rode towards the town . As he approached the bridge across the Saint Charles , the country behind the town opened to his view , and he presently saw the red line of British troops , drawn up on the heights above the river , two miles away . Instantly , he sent Johnston off , at full gallop , to bring up the troops from the centre and left . Vaudreuil had already ordered up those on the right .