"Hardly any," answered Jadwin, who trudged by his side. "And very few Injuns, too. It's not the kind of a locality to strike for hunting. I came through last more for curiosity than anything else. Some Injuns said the spot was haunted, and I wanted to see the ghost, if there was any."
"And did you see any?"
"No, but I got a pretty good scare. I was out one moonlight night and saw a silver deer at a lick a short distance from here. Just as I spotted the deer it came straight for me. It had a bit of birch bark caught on its horns, and for the minute I thought sure it was the ghost. But I tried to keep cool, and made out to draw a bead, and that was the last of the silver deer."
The weather continued to grow warmer and walking became worse and worse. Whenever they struck a trail, it was deep in mud and slush, and they frequently had to make detours for fear of becoming stuck. It was a dreary time, and even Henry's naturally light spirits deserted him.
"I'd give as much as two shillings to be at the fort," he declared. "I'm sick of such tramping as this."
On the fourth day they came to within three miles of the fort. James Morris called a halt, and Tony Jadwin went ahead to see if the coast was clear.
As mentioned before in this series, Fort Pitt stood where the city of Pittsburg stands to-day. In former times Fort Duquesne had occupied that position, erected by the French and destroyed by General Forbes. Fort Pitt was erected under the directions of General Stanwix, and was a fairly strong fortification, having dirt and log ramparts on the land side, and a heavy brick wall on the side looking down the Ohio River. On one side swept the Allegheny River and on the other the Monongahela, and for miles around the country was an almost unbroken wilderness. To the west were a few isolated posts, and the nearest settlement eastward was two hundred miles away. Only two roads led to the fort, that built by General Braddock five years before, and the second, which was built by General Forbes a little later. Both roads were so rough that to use them for cart driving was difficult, so that those journeying on either preferred to move goods by pack-train. Frequently the spring freshets would sweep away the bridges across the various streams, so that the roads needed constant repairs or they could not be used at all.
Much to the relief of Jadwin and Henry they found no Indians in the vicinity of Fort Pitt. They at once went back to report, and a little later the whole party marched directly to the stronghold, crossing the river in a bateau that was handy. Several soldiers were on guard, but as James Morris was well known, and Jadwin too, they were allowed to come up without being challenged.
"What news?" demanded Captain Ecuyer, for he saw at a glance that something was wrong.
"Our post has been attacked, and is in the hands of the Indians and the French," responded James Morris, and entering the captain's quarters he told his story in detail. Captain Ecuyer listened with a grave look on his face. He was of Swiss birth, but had served in the English army for many years.