Nevertheless, rather than risk a fight at the beginning, Joseph Morris resolved to have a talk with the French trader, and for that purpose sent a frontiersman named Hope to the post. Hope carried a white handkerchief tied to a stick, and was allowed to come to within a few paces of the stockade gate, when he was halted.
“I want to talk to Jean Bevoir,” said the frontiersman.
“Vat you vant?” demanded the Frenchman, from within, and without showing himself.
“Is that you, Jean Bevoir?”
“Yees.”
“Joseph Morris is here with a large party, and he demands that you throw the gate of this post open.”
“Ha! Vat for, tell me zat? So he can come in and murder us, not so?”
“If you will not open the gate and let him march in he will come in by force.”
“Let heem try it! Let heem try it!” cried Jean Bevoir, in a rage. “Zis is my post—I vill defend my property. Now I vant you to go avay—an’ stay avay!” he added, sharply.
“Will you talk to Mr. Morris?”