“I am sorry for you,” he said, taking the Indian’s hand.
“Blue Crow is glad he has reached the Great William,” replied the red man. “He was afraid he would die before he met his English friend face to face. He comes many miles, from beyond the Thousand Islands of the St. Lawrence.”
“With a message?”
“Yes. He was sent by General Wolfe.”
“And what has General Wolfe to say?” demanded Sir William Johnson eagerly.
“He has fought the French, and—and has lo—lost. He—says—help—the French have—slain—I—’tis growing—dark—dark——”
The Indian gave a gasp, and tried to go on. Sir William Johnson raised him up and called for the surgeon. But it was too late—the red messenger was dead.
CHAPTER III
ON A DANGEROUS MISSION
To understand fully the importance of the news brought to Sir William Johnson by Blue Crow we shall have to go back a little and see what the English and Colonial soldiers were trying to do in this campaign of 1759 against the French.