“I don’t think so,” Robert answered. “Sounds like two minds, one yes, one no. Injuns are scared.”
When the council had quit there still were no signs of getting ready to fight: no running about inside; no war dances outside in the Indian camp.
After sunrise still another council was held, this time upon the ground not far from the very gates. Beaujeu the Canadian Ranger was there; and Langlade, Pontiac, Black Hoof, Killbuck, Beaver, Shingis and Anastase who had been chosen head chief of all. The warriors crowded forward, to listen; words rose high. Beaujeu and Langlade pleaded, but the Ottawas, the Hurons, the Delawares, the Iroquois, even the Shawnees, held back.
Anastase finally stood, and dropped his blanket again.
“No,” he cried to Beaujeu. “We have told you that Onontio ought not to ask his children to die for him. Does my young father wish to die? It is not the part of wise men to fight four thousand with a few hundred. We know that the Mingos do not want this fort here, so why should we uselessly try to hold it for the French? We shall not march to certain death. The French should have brought more men.”
“Ugh! Look!”
A runner was pelting down from the woods for the fort. He came on across the cleared ground—he came with news and he arrived sweaty and panting.
The English army had forded a bend of the Monongahela below the old Fraser trading house! They were marching through the bend, to ford again above, near Fraser’s, only ten miles from the fort. They would be here soon, with all their soldiers and their great guns.
The council broke into a tumult and a hurrying about. No one seemed to know what to do. Then up sprang Beaujeu—and a gallant young figure he was, too, his head bare, his yellow hair floating, his eyes very blue and his face flushed.
“Listen!” he shouted. “Are you women? Do I see you afraid? The English are at the river. Now is the time. Let us meet them on our own ground, where one man can stop twenty. Listen! I am resolved to meet them. It shames me to stay here. What! Will you let your father go alone against the enemy? Come, for he is certain of success.”