“We can’t make it,” said more than one, and reluctantly Wolfe had the retreat sounded, and the English withdrew, with a loss to the grenadiers and the Colonials of over four hundred killed and wounded.
It was a bitter blow, but how bitter the colonists at large did not know until some time later, for in those days there was neither telegraph nor train to carry the news. Among the Indians in the fight was Blue Crow, and he and his companion, Yellow Nose, were at once dispatched to Fort Niagara to tell General Prideaux of what had occurred and to learn when the force along Lake Ontario might be expected to move down the St. Lawrence.
The news received by Sir William Johnson was short and unsatisfactory, and both the bodies of the dead Indians and their canoe were searched for a possible written message, but without success. Sir William was much disturbed, for some instructions which had been forwarded to General Prideaux by General Amherst were also missing, and he scarcely knew how to turn next. General Gage, he knew, was coming to take command in his stead, but in the meanwhile time of great value might be lost.
“I will send out some spies toward Oswego,” he said, to several of his fellow officers. “If they are not stopped they can move on as far as the St. Lawrence. Perhaps they can bring in the news I wish.”
In the course of a talk with Dave and Henry regarding the manner in which the dead Indians had first been discovered, the commander mentioned that he wished to send out the spies, and Henry at once begged that he be allowed to go along.
“I take a deep interest, sir,” he said respectfully. “And I would consider it an honor to serve you in that way.”
“And so would I consider it an honor,” added Dave.
“Perhaps but it is likewise a risk, my lads,” answered the Indian Superintendent.
“We are used to taking risks,” went on Henry. “Both of us are fair shots and have been serving in the field ever since the war began.”
“I will think it over,” said Sir William. “One thing is in your favor—a youth can sometimes get through where a man is suspected and halted and very often shot down.”