Those were the right words at the right moment. Who could resist the brave Beaujeu? A great yell answered him. Chief after chief shook his hand.
“Only wait. We will follow our father.”
Beaujeu ran inside. Soldiers hurried out, rolling barrels of powder and casks of bullets, and knocked the heads in, before the gates. Chiefs and warriors were painting; they paused only long enough to cluster around the barrels and casks and to scoop their powder flasks and bullet pouches full. Inside, orders were being shouted, and soldiers were lining up. It was to be war in the woods.
With James Smith, Robert the Hunter had been looking down upon this scene from the top of the palisade wall near the gates. Here they two clung; and in the excitement he had forgotten Jim, but now he heard him.
“They’re going to attack!”
“Yes. Surprise.”
“Where, you think?”
“Maybe at second ford. Good place, where army crosses second time, to get on this side.”
“How far?”
“Maybe ten mile, by trail to Fraser place.”