THE FRENCH CAMP They returned to the camp without further event.

Colden and Strong were gratified to learn that the retreat of St.Luc was real, and that he was certainly going toward Champlain, with the obvious intention of joining Montcalm.
"We owe you a great debt of gratitude, Colonel," said the young officer, frankly, to Elihu Strong.

"If you had not come I don't think we could have held out against St.Luc." "We did the best we could," replied Elihu Strong.

"If the Governor and Legislature of Massachusetts had done their full duty we'd have been here earlier, with twice as many men and guns, but as it is we did our best, and man can do no more." They decided that they would hold the point and await the coming of the great army under Abercrombie which was to crush Montcalm.

The outworks were built higher and stronger and the brass cannon were mounted upon them at points, where they could sweep the forest.