"Can that be possible?" burst from Henry's lips. "Come, let us find out!"
He rushed forward, and Dave and Barringford quickly followed. Soon they were in the vanguard, which was scrambling over fallen trees and brushwood and climbing the last hill which separated the English soldiers from the fort. There was a thick smoke ahead and presently they saw a column of flame shoot up, followed by a dull explosion.
"They have fired the fort," said Barringford. "Reckon as how they'll burn everything they can't carry."
By the time the soldiers reached the vicinity of the stronghold the fire was burning low. Only a small portion of the stockade was gone, with one or two small buildings and what had been left of the stores. An Indian was found nearby, suffering from a broken leg, and he gave the intelligence that the French command had retreated down the Ohio. Some had gone only a few hours before and others had left three days previous.
"And what of the prisoners they had?" asked Henry, as soon as he could get the chance.
"The prisoners were taken away three days ago."
"Were there any little girls among them?"
"Yes, four little maidens. One from the south and three from the east, with two women and forty-one men," was the reply.
"Three girls!" murmured Henry. "One of them must have been Nell! And they took them off three days ago? Oh, Dave, I'm afraid we have lost her forever!"