"Then my white brother refuses to surrender?" asked the Indian, angrily.
"I have not said that, Rain Cloud. I must talk it over first with my men. Come back later for my answer."
"Be it so. Rain Cloud will wait, but not for long," replied the Indian, and walked back into the wilderness once more.
"What do you think of his proposition?" asked James Morris, after he had told the others of what the Indian chief had said.
"It would be all well enough if you could trust the Indians," said one of the frontiersmen. "But they ain't to be trusted nohow."
"That's just it," came from Henry. "They'd let us march out and then shoot us down in cold blood. I'd never trust that band to let us march to Fort Pitt in peace."
"I do not believe in surrendering the post—at least, not just yet," said James Morris. "If Jadwin manages to get back with the others, we can drive these rascals away, and perhaps give them a lesson which they will never forget."
"Why not put the Indians off as long as possible, Uncle Jim? Tell Rain Cloud we can't make up our minds what to do."
This was agreed to, and when the Indian chief came for his answer James Morris told him the force at the post was divided on the question.
"You must surrender at once," said Rain Cloud. "If this is not done my warriors will renew the attack. The forty other Indians have arrived."