They heard too that Bourlamaque after his retreat from Ticonderoga and Crown Point was sitting securely within his lines and intrenchments at Isle-aux-Noix and that the cautious Amherst would delay longer and yet longer.
It was now certain that no help could be expected from Amherst and his strong army that year.

The most that he would do would be to keep Bourlamaque and his men from coming to the relief of Quebec.

So far as the capital of New France was concerned the issue must be fought out by the forces now gathered there for the defense and the offense, the French and the Indians against the English and the Americans.
Robert realized more keenly every day that the time was short and becoming shorter.

Hot summer days were passing, nights came on crisp and cool, the foliage along the king of rivers and its tributaries began to glow with the intense colors of decay, there was more than a touch of autumn in the air.

They must be up and doing before the fierce winter came down on Quebec.