The Indians who might have provided him with game had abandoned him and gone he knew not whither.

His men knew nothing of the art of winning for themselves a livelihood from the wilderness that surrounded them.

Although the soldiers had been allowed to think differently, he knew that some months must still elapse before the arrival of reinforcements and supplies from France.

He himself, worn out by anxiety and overwork, was beginning to feel symptoms of the approach of the dreaded fever, and he feared that ere long he would be unfitted to perform the duties of his important position.
In this emergency, he decided to hold a council with the officers of the garrison, and ask their aid in deciding what was to be done.

He therefore sent word to Soisson, his lieutenant, old Hillaire, the captain of artillery, Martinez, the quartermaster, Chastelleux, the chief of engineers, Le Moyne, the artist, and to Rene, his nephew, bidding them meet him in council.