The heavens were full of them, disporting themselves in clusters on spangled seas, and the forest was all in light, paler than that of day, but almost as vivid.
The Indians lighted several fires, well beyond rifle shot, and the sentinels on the palisade distinctly saw their figures passing back and forth before the blaze Robert also noticed the uniforms of Frenchmen, and he thought it likely that De Courcelles and Jumonville had with them more soldiers than he had supposed at first.

The fires burned at different points of the compass, and thus the fort was encircled completely by them.

Both young Lennox and Willet knew they had been lighted that way purposely, that is in order to show to the defenders that a belt of fire and steel was drawn close about them.
To Wilton at least the Indian circle seemed impassable, and despite the enormous confidence of Robert he now had none at all himself.

It was impossible for Tayoga, even if he had triumphed over sleet and snow and flood and storm, to pass so close a siege.

He would not speak of it again, but Robert had allowed himself to be deluded by friendship.