“You look it. You are tired, hungry too,” said Washington. “I thank the Hunter. Was the fort finished? Is it fallen?”
“Not finished. French say to go away in one hour. Tanacharison tell Ward to say he must wait for his chief.”
“Summon the officers for a council in my tent immediately, captain,” ordered Washington, of Vanbraam. “If the fort has surrendered we may expect Ward himself soon. The boy has evidently beaten any other messenger.”
Then he called in a black servant, and the Hunter ate, and answered more questions, and lay down to sleep in George Washington’s tent.
XIII
BATTLE AND VICTORY
Washington was going! Everybody soon believed the Hunter’s story, for Ensign Ward himself and his men came in. The French captain had not allowed him to wait, but had again ordered him off.
Tanacharison had sent Scarouady’s son the Buck, and Guyasuta the warrior with Ward, bearing another cry for help. The Buck had gone on with Ward, to the Governor; and Guyasuta had travelled back to the Half-King with an answer from Washington.
“We thank you for your friendship and your wise counsels,” Washington had said. “This young man will tell you that a small part of our army is marching toward you, clearing the road for our great guns and our supplies. I hope that you and Scarouady will meet me on the road as soon as possible to aid me with your advice. This string of wampum will remind you how much I am your brother and friend.”
The French at the Forks numbered one thousand, by best count; Guyasuta asserted that six hundred Chippewas and Ottawas were marching south through the Miami country, to join another army of French coming up the Ohio River.