The group spends a few days in the besieged fort. “The scene was at once animated and still” (178), with flags waving and crowds of French on the beach of the lake near William Henry. Nevertheless, Bumppo is bothered because they are surrounded by enemies. Cora and Alice thank Bumppo and his friends for helping them arrive at the fort. Even Munro says that he has heard of the fame of “The Long Rifle.”

There is another fort in the Hudson area, Edward, and the besieged wonder if that fort will send reinforcements. Meanwhile, the French commander, the Marquis of Montcalm, has invited Munro for a discussion. Munro suggests sending Heyward instead. Heyward sees Magua in the French encampment. Montcalm assumes Heyward came to deliver a message of surrender and is taken aback when he discovers this is not the case. Before leaving, Heyward says their fort is strong, and they have reinforcements.

Heyward returns to William Henry. Munro catches Heyward off guard by suggesting that he is interested in his daughter Cora; Heyward explains that he has affections for Alice. Munro explains that he had wanted to marry a woman named Alice long ago, but he was too poor at the time.