"It's like a touch of old times, when I was fighting under Washington, and Johnson, and Wolfe," said he, to Barringford.
"I reckon we are going to see more o' sech fighting, lad," answered the old frontiersman. "Only, maybe, 'twill be wuss," he added, reflectively.
"Sam, I'd give something for definite news from our trading-post."
"I don't doubt but what ye would, lad—I would myself. It's queer your father didn't send in any more messages after Ira Sanderson brought thet letter."
"That is just what is worrying me. If everything was all right I'm almost positive father would let us know."
"Perhaps, if he was driven out, he'll come home."
"That is possible, but I imagine he'd make for Fort Pitt first—in the hope that Captain Ecuyer would send out a detachment to drive the redskins away."
"I don't believe the commandant at Fort Pitt could give him any assistance—he'd have too much on his own hands. This ain't no common uprisin', not by a long shot. Pontiac means business, an' to my way o' reckonin' it's going to be a war to a finish."
"Then you really think the Indians will march against Fort Pitt, and Detroit, and all the other strongholds?"
"Why not, ef they can work together? It's the only way they can hope for success, for then one fort can't send assistance to another. If each is surrounded, it will have to work out its own salvation,—or go under. Pontiac is a mighty wise Injun and he knows that his reputation is at stake."