The assailants were, in truth, impotent before the masterly inactivity of Carleton, who waited patiently behind his walls for the arrival in the spring of a British fleet.  Counting upon this expectancy the Americans tried an old-time ruse.  Between nine and ten o’clock in the evening of May 3rd, with the moon shining brightly and the tide flowing in and nearly high, a ship under full sail came into view from the direction of the Island of Orleans.  With the wind behind her she swung in at a good rate of speed.  Those who watched were, for a moment, sure that the long expected rescue had come.  But, as she bore down to the cul de sac where lay the shipping at Quebec, she made no response to signals.  At last, the British, after three vain efforts to draw a response, warned her to reply or they should fire.  When this threat was carried out she was only some two hundred yards away.  Then suddenly flames burst out on the ship, followed by random explosions; a boat left her side rowed very swiftly, and it was now apparent that she was sent to burn, if possible, the British shipping.  It must have been an anxious moment when she was so near and heading straight for her prey.  But, showing a natural prudence, those who steered left her too soon and, with no hand at the helm, her head came up quickly in the wind.  By this time all Quebec had been alarmed and, as attack from the landward side was also expected, every man was soon at his post.  The ship was a striking sight as, with sails and rigging on fire, she drifted helplessly before the town.  When the tide turned she floated down, a mass of fire, with explosions shaking her from time to time, to the shallows off Beauport where she soon lay stranded, a blackened ruin of half-burnt timbers.

Quebec still waited for rescue, and not in vain.  At day break, on the 6th of May, a frigate appeared round Point Levi.  Again went forth the cry of “A ship,” “A ship.”  “The news,” we are told, “soon reached every pillow in town.”  Men half dressed rushed to the Grand Battery, which was quickly crowded with spectators, who indulged in much shaking of hands, and in the exchange of compliments, as the character of the ship became clear.  She was the British frigate Surprise, and, with much difficulty, had forced her way, under full sail, through the great fields of ice which still blocked the river.  Following her closely were the Isis and a sloop the Martin.  Quebec went wild with joy.  But there was still serious business on hand.  The Surprise brought a part of the 29th regiment and a good many marines.  They were landed at once.  Carleton lost not a moment and, by twelve o’clock of the same day, the gates of Quebec were thrown open and he marched out to attack the Americans.