six
o'clock in the morning
Eagerly was the dawn waited for , when the city guns would give the expected signal ; but the dawn came so wrapped in fog , and it was not quite as early as was expected that the boom and roar from the fortifications told that the gunners could sight the opposing batteries . The blanket of fog seemed then to roll up and away , leaving the glistening river lying like a sheet of silver at their feet . But what was the meaning of that crowd of boats all making for the city as fast as oars and sails could bring them ? It was hardly six o'clock in the morning , and the attack could not well have been commenced before five . What , then , were they doing , hurrying back in their boats like hunted hares ? Those with telescopes , watching from the heights above , declared that the English were pursuing their occupations with the most perfect unconcern , that they were bringing up more guns , and that the batteries were now so well planted and defended that the city guns did no harm . Shell away as they might from Quebec , no effect was produced upon their solid earthworks ; and it was abundantly evident that very soon they would he in a position to open fire upon the hapless city .