"What does the red man want?" demanded Captain Ecuyer, from the rampart.
"My brothers, we that stand here are your friends," answered Turtle's Heart. "But we have bad news for you. Six of the red men's great nations have dug up the war-hatchet, and cut off every English garrison but yours. Those who have conquered are now on the way to attack you."
"Is that all you have to say?" asked the commandant, knowing full well that more must be coming.
"No, my brothers, we are your best friends, and we wish to save you. Flee to the Eastern forts, where you will be safe. You have yet time, but it will not be for long, for the six big nations are on the way to overwhelm you. Go, for the sake of your wives and your children. Turtle's Heart has spoken."
"Turtle's Heart has been kind," answered Captain Ecuyer. "For that I must thank him. But the red men are mistaken about the other forts being captured. They can hold out, even as we can hold out, for we have a large store of ammunition and many provisions."
"But the provisions will not last forever," said one of the Indians.
"They will last long enough," answered the commandant of the fort. "And now let me tell you another thing, since you have been so considerate. An army of six thousand English will shortly arrive here to aid us. An army of three thousand has already gone up to the Great lakes, to punish the Ottawas and the Ojibwas. Another army is marching to the South to punish the Catawbas and Cherokees. Take heed, for our sakes, and go away, before our army arrives here and does you great harm. But do not tell the other Indians, for they deserve the fate that is in store for them."
"When is the great army to arrive?" asked Turtle's Heart.
"It will be here very soon, now."
This ended the talk, and the Indians withdrew much crestfallen. The majority believed what had been told to them, and becoming alarmed left the vicinity of Fort Pitt, to await the arrival of more warriors from the north.