THE RECKONING Robert's belief that the issue was at hand was so strong that it was not shaken at all, while they hovered about the town for a while.

He heard through Charteris that Wolfe was again ill, that he had suffered a terrible night, but that day had found him better, and, despite his wasted frame and weakness, he was among the troops, kindling their courage anew, and stimulating them to greater efforts.
"A soul of fire in an invalid's frame," said Charteris, and Robert agreed with him.
Through Zeb Crane's amazing powers as a spy, he heard that the French were in the greatest anxiety over Wolfe's movements.

They had thought at first that he was abandoning the siege, and then that he meditated an attack at some new point.

Montcalm below the town and Bougainville above it were watching incessantly.

Their doubts were increased by the fierce bombardments of the British fleet, which poured heavy shot into the Lower Town and the French camp.