“The old braves of my tribe have come back to their reason,” answered the Indian chief with a smiling face. “They have learned that the French are their enemies, and gave their word only to break it. Henceforth they will fight under White Buffalo and Sir William Johnson to the end.”
“That is certainly good news,” said Dave. “I suppose you are going to rejoin Sir William at Fort Oswego.”
“Yes, and we bring with us an old Indian who knows the swift waters of the St. Lawrence, if the great Sir William sees best to move upon the enemy by that course.”
“Most likely he will move down the St. Lawrence, White Buffalo. But I have heard the rapids are very swift, and more than one man has lost his life trying to shoot them.”
The want of news about Henry and the sad tidings concerning Barringford hurt White Buffalo greatly, and he did not hesitate to show his feelings.
“’Tis a black cloud hanging over us,” he said. “May the Great Spirit roll it away, bringing Henry back to us unharmed, and lifting the Demon Spirit from Barringford’s mind.”
CHAPTER XXX
THE RAPIDS OF THE ST. LAWRENCE
August of the year 1760 found General Amherst at Oswego with a force of ten thousand men, consisting of royal grenadiers, Colonial militia and rangers and volunteers. To this body was also attached over seven hundred Indians, under the leadership of Sir William Johnson.
In the meantime the troops at Crown Point had been left under the command of General Haviland. They were ordered to move forward without delay, and Haviland did so, his force numbering a little over three thousand soldiers of all sorts, including the now celebrated Roger’s Rangers. The first point of attack was Isle-aux-Noix, fortified by the French under Bougainville. Here the English were victorious, and then the enemy were followed to St. John and Chambly, and by the activity of the rangers were compelled to give way once more, this time seeking the protection of the St. Lawrence. Haviland now awaited the coming of Amherst, and at the same time communicated with General Murray at Quebec, with a view to a threefold attack on Montreal.