Croghan was ordered to invite the Indians to a grand assembly at Logtown, to receive presents from the English and to come to an understanding in regard to the land in the Ohio Valley. He advanced as far as Muskingum, where he was met by a man named Gist, who had been sent out by the Ohio Company to inspect the country, note the value of the land, and learn how strong the Indians were and what they intended to do.
News soon reached Croghan that the French had captured three English traders and carried them off as prisoners to Canada. He at once ordered all the English for miles around to gather at Muskingum for mutual defence. But the scare which had arisen did not last long, and Croghan and Gist proceeded on their way, visiting the villages of the Delawares, Shawnees and Miamis. With the latter an alliance was formed, in the name of the Governor of Pennsylvania.
This latter ceremony was scarcely concluded when the Indian runners announced the approach of a French expedition. Envoys had been sent by the Governor of Canada, with two kegs of brandy, ten pounds of tobacco, and other things for the Indians. But the Miamis would not accept the presents, and told the French that should war ensue they intended to remain upon the side of the English. At this the envoys departed much crestfallen.
The meeting at Logtown,—located but a short distance below the present city of Pittsburgh—was a grand success. The Indians were given many presents and professed eternal friendship for the English. Even the coming of Captain Joncaire, a veteran French pathfinder, did not turn their feelings. Although Joncaire promised them many things and spoke most eloquently to them, they hardly waited to hear him out.
“This is our land,” said one of the head chiefs. “The English are our brothers. They shall live among us, and we will trade with them and not with you,” and Joncaire had to depart defeated in his undertaking. But before he went he warned all that the land belonged to the King of France and that for the English to trade there would bring trouble.
Feeling that “possession is nine points of the law,” the Ohio Company ordered Gist to continue his explorations, and this the pioneer did, and made a survey of the company’s lands on the south side of the Ohio as far as the Great Kanawha. But in the meantime the French strengthened their stronghold at Niagara and pushed their trading-posts still further southward, on the Ohio and other streams. War was indeed inevitable, but it was yet to simmer a year or two before bursting forth in all its fury.
CHAPTER XVI
DAVE’S DEPARTURE FOR THE WEST
A week after the arrival of Sam Barringford at the Morris homestead Dave was much surprised and delighted to see White Buffalo making his way along the creek. Dropping the hoe he was using at the time, the youth ran to meet the friendly Indian.
“White Buffalo is welcome,” he said, as he shook hands. “I have been looking for you a long time.”
“How-how!” returned the Indian, as he bent a kindly glance on Dave. “White boy was afraid White Buffalo would not come back, is that so?”