The Indian chief spoke the truth, and drawing closer they made out that the party, which numbered between forty and fifty, were English, and that only a few were armed. Feeling that they must be friends Dave advanced and hailed their leader, who proved to be an ensign named Ward.
“We are from the new fort,” explained the ensign. “Whither are you bound?”
“For Will’s Creek first and then for Winchester.”
“Then you can go with us if you wish.”
“You are going to Will’s Creek?”
“Yes.”
The ensign did not wish to speak further, but from a hunter who was with the party Dave learned the truth of the situation. This body of men were those left by Captain Trent at the fort under the leadership of John Frazier. While Frazier was away and the men under the ensign were hard at work on the fort, a body of a thousand French soldiers, with field pieces, had suddenly appeared on the river, having come down in canoes and on rafts from Venango. The French leader, an old army officer, had demanded an immediate surrender of the fort. The ensign knew not what to do. He wished to consult with Frazier, or with Captain Trent, but the enemy would not give him the necessary time. As it was surrender or fight, and the fort was by no means completed, the ensign surrendered on condition that his company of fifty be allowed to march away unmolested and with their working tools. This condition had been granted, and the company was now on its way to join the advancing body under Lieut.-Colonel Washington.
“The French will count this a great victory,” said the hunter who told the story, “and they will go around and make every other fort and trading-post surrender.”
“Then that means they will visit my father’s post,” returned the youth, soberly.
“More than likely, lad.”