he numbers of the hostile host astonished though
they did not dismay the brave little garrison.

Once more Monro sent forth Fritz with a letter to the General.

"The French are upon us," he wrote, "both by land and water. They
are well supplied with artillery, which will make sad havoc of our
defences, for these, you have seen for yourself, are none of the
strongest. Nevertheless the garrison are all in good spirits, and
eager to do their duty. I make no doubt that you will send us a
reinforcement, for we are very certain that a part of the enemy
will soon get possession of the road, and in that case our
condition would become very serious."

Again Fritz was entrusted with this letter; again he made the rapid
night journey over the familiar road.

This time he was not admitted to the General's presence, and after
he had remained at Fort Edward about an hour and had been
refreshed, a message came to say that General Webb had received the
letter and considered it, but could make no other reply than he had
done the previous day.

"Then God help us," said the Scotch veteran when this message was
brought him, "for vain is the help of man!"

And although he went about the fort with as calm and cheerful a
mien as before, he was certain in his own heart that Fort William
Henry was now doomed.

"They are surrounding us on all sides," cried Roche, as soon as
Fritz appeared upon the ramparts with his disheartening message,
which, however, he kept for the moment to himself. "See, they are
working their way through the forest to the rear, just beyond our
range. Soon we shall be hemmed in, and they will bring up their
guns. We have done what we can for these poor walls; but they will
not long stand the cannonade of all those guns we see lying yonder
on the platoons upon the lake."

"We must hope that the militia from the provinces will come up
before their preparations are complete," said Fritz. "They should
be on their way by now. But delay and procrastination have ever
marked our methods through this war. Nevertheless the men are in
good spirits; they are eager for the fight to begin. I marvel at
their courage, seeing how great are the odds. But even the sick
seemed fired by martial ardour!"

It was so. The long inaction of the winter and spring had been
wearisome and disheartening. It was impossible for the soldiers to
doubt that they would receive help from without now that it was
known that the enemy was actually up