The contest had not been a large one, but the victory was gratifying to the soldiers under Washington, and in high glee they marched back to Great Meadows with their prisoners. This disappointed the Indians somewhat for they would have preferred to kill and scalp all who were taken. According to their way of reasoning the best enemy was a dead enemy.
Among the prisoners taken was La Force, and he now tried to prove that he was on a peaceful mission to the English. But a letter was found on Jumonville which disproved this, and much against his will La Force, who was considered by Washington a very dangerous man, was sent to Winchester with the other prisoners.
“Wasn’t that a great fight?” said Henry to Dave. “How we did let the Frenchmen have it!”
“And how they did run,” answered Dave. “We certainly surprised them in fine shape.”
After the prisoners had departed under a strong guard the remaining soldiers were set to work to erect a fortification at Great Meadows, which, when completed, was called Fort Necessity. On this fort Dave and Henry worked with the rest, day after day, digging the soil and planting heavy posts as though they were common laborers. On retiring their backs would often ache from the toil, but neither complained.
“War isn’t all shooting and glory,” remarked Henry. “This has got to be done, so let us make the best of it.”
If the success of the contest just passed pleased Washington it likewise delighted Tanacharisson, and the half-king lost no time in sending messages to his friends, urging them to join him in his fighting with the English. A few responded without delay but the majority held back, fearing that if they sided with the English the French would annihilate them.
Washington had already sent word to Will’s Creek for reinforcements. Colonel Fry was there, but he was ill and could not move. Soon the colonel died, and his place was taken by Colonel Innes, who had been a fellow officer with Lawrence Washington. Washington urged Innes to come forward and in return received three hundred soldiers, those whom Colonel Fry had mustered into the service. Later still came a few other soldiers and also nine swivel guns.
But powder and shot were scarce and provisions were even more so, and with the coming of the Indian half-king’s tribe there was for a week or more little or nothing to eat in the camp. Old hunters went out and brought in fresh meat and fish, yet these could not take the place of flour and other necessities.
“I haven’t had a full meal in four days,” said Dave to Henry, once. “How good a big slice of bread would taste!”