If they could have come straight along the ice to the head of the lake here, they would have made a dash, no doubt; but now they find we ain't to be caught asleep, I expect they will wait till morning." Again the sound of axes was heard in the wood, and the glare of light appeared above the trees.
"There must be a tidy lot of 'em," Nat said.
"Do you think it will be any use to go out and try to surprise them ?" "Not a bit, captain.

They are sure to have a lot of redskins with them, and they will be lurking in the woods, in hopes that we may try such a move.

No; we have got a strong position here, and can lick them three to one; but in the woods, except Stark's men, and perhaps yours, none of the others wouldn't be no good at all." Mayor Eyre, shortly afterwards, sent for James, who gave him the opinion of the scout, and the major then ordered the troops to get under shelter again, leaving Stark's men to act as sentries, for the night was bitterly cold.
It was not until ten o'clock next day that the French appeared, and, surrounding the fort on all sides, except on that of the lake, opened heavy musketry fire upon it.

They were a formidable body.

Vaudreuil, the governor of Canada, had spared no pains to make the blow a successful one.