While the others worked over the wounded messenger, Dave brought forth the letter mentioned and perused it, not once but several times. It was written in James Morris's characteristic style, and ran, in part, as follows:
"You will be glad to learn that so far the season has been a very good one. I have made a bargain with some French as well as English and Indian trappers for their furs, and they are bringing in all that I can handle. A few of the Frenchmen tried to get the best of me, but I showed them that I knew my business and since that time they have not bothered me. They now realize that the French cause in the Colonies is hopelessly lost.
"One of the French trappers used to be a personal friend of that rascal, Jean Bevoir. He says Bevoir is recovering from his wounds, and expects to go back to trading himself in the near future. I do not care what he does, so long as he does not molest us again. But if he tries any of his underhand work I am going to do my best to put him in the hands of the authorities, for he richly deserves a long term of imprisonment for his past misdeeds.
"Pontiac's failure to unite all the Indian tribes in a war against us last year and the year before, has caused some of the Wyandottes and Delawares to desert him. But the others seem to stick to him still, and I am afraid they are plotting greater mischief than ever. One trapper told me that the Indians up at the Lakes are very restless, and hold a great many pow-wows and war talks. Yesterday I had three strange Indians here, Ottawas, and I did not like their manner in the least. They took careful note of how the post was laid out, and asked one of the men if we had any extra guns on hand. I half believe they were spies, but as I could not prove it, I had to let them go.
"Henry wants to be remembered to all at home. He is well and has had some great success at hunting. He fixed up a trap last week and on Saturday night brought in the most ferocious wolverine ever seen in these parts.
"Since penning the above, I have just come from interviewing two other strange Indians. They did a little trading, but spent most of their time in looking over the trading-post. They wished to know what I wanted for four good guns, but told them I had no firearms to sell. This angered them, and they went off muttering to themselves. I must say I did not like their looks at all.
"Ira Sanderson is to start with this letter to-morrow. He can give you more details than I can write. I am anxious to hear from you, for I know the Indians must be as restless around Fort Cumberland as they are here."
CHAPTER VI
THE TRADING-POST ON THE OHIO
Leaving Ira Sanderson to recover and tell his story to those at the Morris homestead, let us journey westward and learn for ourselves what had occurred at James Morris's trading-post during the months in which Dave had been absent.