“Hallo, Messieurs the English!”
“Hallo!” shouted Washington.
“I would come in. We offer a parley to save the English further loss of life.”
Vanbraam translated.
“Tell him to keep away,” Washington directed. “We wish no parley. Besides,” he added, “the French are weakening and to let them see our condition would encourage them.”
So Vanbraam told the man to keep away. Then pretty soon the man called again. He asked that an officer be sent out to talk. Washington consented to this. Ensign Peyroney spoke good French, but he was too sorely wounded to move. Accordingly Captain Jacob Vanbraam went out to the French and the Indians.
He was gone a long time. When at last he came back he brought a paper that made terms. He read the paper by light of a candle to Washington, and Washington shook his head.
“We will never agree to terms so dishonorable,” he said. “The only thing to which I will consent is the privilege of marching out with all our forces and property, and of retiring unmolested. Captain de Villiers may then have the fort, such as it is.”
Captain Jacob Vanbraam made several trips back and forth, in the dark; and each time the paper was changed by the French captain, and was reread by Vanbraam by the light of the flickering candle held under a cloak spread over it.
Then while Robert was squatting among the weary men who waited anxiously Scarouady’s son, the Buck, touched him on the shoulder.