"Unless I am mistaken, a great wrong was done by this Benoit Vascal," said the old frontiersman. And then, as there seemed no help for it, he told the story of the twins.
"Humph! That was certainly a black enough thing to do," said the major. "I'll call in some of the Frenchmen and ask them if they know where this Vascal can be found."
As a result of the conversation, half a dozen French trappers and traders were interviewed. One said he had met Benoit Vascal and thought he knew where the man could be found. It was decided to go out in search of the fellow on the following morning.
Dave was anxious to learn if anything was known concerning his father's trading-post, and of affairs at Fort Pitt.
"So far as I can learn, matters at Fort Pitt are about as they are here," said Major Gladwyn. "There is something in the air, and there is no doubt but that certain posts and settlements have been completely wiped out. But I can give you no particulars, for none have been vouchsafed to me."
Early on the following morning Barringford and Dave set out with a good-natured French trapper named Covelle to find Benoit Vascal. The Frenchman took them up the river a short distance to a settlement where or fifteen or twenty French families lived.
"Vascal been here las' week," said Covelle. "He rich man—spend plentee money, oui."
Coming to a neat farmhouse, they passed inside and Covelle asked the woman of the place about Vascal. She nodded her head, and then said that the man had left only the day before.
"And where did he go to?" asked Barringford, quickly.
At this the Frenchwoman merely shrugged her shoulders.