Colonel Monro looked grave and anxious as he examined its
defences. It was an irregular bastioned square, built of gravel and
earth, crowned by a rampart of heavy logs, and guarded by ditches
on three sides, and by the lake on the north. But it was not strong
enough to stand a very heavy assault, although it was provided with
seventeen cannons, besides some mortars and swivels.
The garrison numbered at this time something over two thousand; but
there were many sick amongst these, and sickness was inclined to
spread, to the grave anxiety of the commander.
Fourteen miles away to the south lay Fort Edward, and General Webb
was there with some fifteen hundred men. He had sent on as many men
as he felt able to spare some short time before, in response to an
appeal from Colonel Monro. Disquieting rumours of an advance from
Ticonderoga were every day coming to their ears. Summer was at its
height, and if a blow were to be struck, it would certainly be
soon.
A scouting party was sent out under the command of a certain
Colonel Parker, in order to learn the strength of the enemy and
what they were about. Three days passed in anxious suspense, and as
nothing was heard of the scouting party, Fritz begged leave to go
forth with a handful of men to look for them, promising not to
expose himself or them to danger.
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