George Washington read the translation with deep interest and then examined the signature on the original. For a minute his brow was knit in study. “Come to my headquarters,” he said, at length. “I will compare this signature with that I have of the French commander on other documents.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Colonel Washington now turned to Joseph Morris. “I am glad to see that you have brought in another horse,” he said. “I wish your neighbors would do as well.”
Accompanied by his uncle, Dave followed Washington to his headquarters, located at one end of the trading-post. Here the young commander’s orderly brought forth a small trunk and from this Washington took several legal looking documents. The signatures were compared by all three of the party.
“I should pronounce this notice a forgery,” said Washington, breaking a painful silence.
“That is also my opinion,” returned Joseph Morris. “The handwriting is quite different.”
“Then father need not move?” cried Dave, impulsively.
“I do not say that,” replied Washington. “The French commander may not take the trouble to notify him until he is at hand—as was the case with Ensign Ward.”
“But an honest man will not stand up for a forgery.”
“That is true, and if the forger can be caught probably the French commander will punish him severely. But that will not help your father—if the French march upon his post.”