The young commander had with him about a hundred and fifty men. These marched to Winchester, where the expedition was to fit out further for the march into the wilderness. But at the frontier town supplies were scarce and Washington would have gotten nothing had he not ordered what he wanted, in the name of the province.
“We need these things and must have them,” he said. “If you will not give them up willingly, we shall take them. Your bills will be paid by the government.” At last he procured ten wagons and the horses to draw them, and thus equipped started out for Will’s Creek.
The creek was not yet gained when an old hunter came riding along with alarming news from the fort.
“The place has been attacked,” he said. “Captain Trent was killed and all his men slain or taken prisoners.”
“The fort attacked!” cried Washington. He said little more, but pushed forth to Will’s Creek with renewed vigor. Some few of his recruits wanted to wait for reinforcements but he would not listen to them.
When Will’s Creek was gained Washington found the trading-post in wild excitement. Captain Trent was there and said there had been no attack on the fort so far as he knew. He had left John Frazier in charge, for the trader had joined the soldiery a short time before. Trent had been ordered to Will’s Creek, to prepare a pack train for Washington but had done little or nothing. Only a few horses could be procured in the neighborhood—two coming from Joseph Morris’ farm—and the young commander had to wait, impatient as he was, until he could send back to Winchester for another levy.
With the coming of spring business at James Morris’ trading-post was resumed. The Indians, however, had but few pelts to barter with and the English hunters also came in more or less empty handed. The red men were preparing for war and did not dare go too far from home for fear their villages would be attacked by the Indians from the lakes.
In March the trader received a communication supposedly from a French commander ordering him to vacate the vicinity of the Kinotah in three months’ time or less. This communication was delivered to Mr. Morris through a French guide attached to the trading-post kept by Jean Bevoir and Dave’s father half suspected that the order was fraudulent, gotten up by Bevoir himself to get him out of the territory. He sent word back that he would consider the matter and consult with the English officials concerning it.
“What will you do, father?” asked Dave, after the messenger had taken his departure.
“I hardly know, Dave,” returned Mr. Morris, walking uneasily up and down the cabin floor. “If this is a genuine notice it is a serious thing.”